Mary Emily McNey, 72, of Bushwood, MD (formerly of Hollywood, MD) passed away on January 1, 2026 at Taylor Farms Assisted Living Facility in Bushwood, MD.

She was born August 19, 1953 to the late Adrian L. "Johnny" Rice and Sara "Emily" (nee: Bean) Rice.

Mary was born and raised in LaPlata, MD, graduating from LaPlata High School in 1971. She graduated from (name of college) with a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and later earned her Master's degree. In 1978 she moved to St. Mary's County where she remained the rest of her life. She spent many years living in Country Lakes in Mechanicsville, MD where she raised her sons, before moving to Hollywood, MD and later to Bushwood, MD.

She dedicated her entire 40-year career to teaching many students the basic fundamentals of reading, writing and socializing. She loved children and enjoyed her many years of teaching. She spent her entire teaching career with the St. Mary's County Board of Education beginning at White Marsh Elementary and later retiring from Oakville Elementary School on July 1, 2016.

Mary was blessed with two sons, Adam and Timothy and took 10 years off from teaching to be a stay-at-home mom, teaching and nurturing them. She was a strong woman with a warrior spirit; a two-time breast cancer survivor, once in 1997 and again in 2016. Her hobbies included shopping and watching jeopardy. She also enjoyed vacations to Rehobeth Beach with her friends. However, her greatest love was time spent with her grandchildren doing whatever they wanted to do. They brought her great strength and joy over the years as she read, colored, drew and even played video games with them.

She was a lifelong member of Christ Episcopal Church in LaPlata, MD and a former member of Mechanicsville Moose Lodge 495.

Mary is survived by her beloved sons, Michael "Adam McNey (Laura) of Bushwood, MD and Timothy Scott McNey of Mechanicsville, MD; her brother, John Robert Rice of LaPlata, MD; the lights of her life – her wonderful grandchildren: Dylan Scott McNey of Mechanicsville, MD, Isabella Marie McNey of Dighton, KS; Emily Nicole McNey, Hunter Michael McNey and Mason Lee McNey, all of Bushwood, MD; and extended family and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents.

Family will receive friends on Sunday, January 11, 2026 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., with a prayer service by Reverend Joe Orlando at 4:00 p.m., at Brinsfield Funeral Home & Crematory, 30195 Three Notch Road, Charlotte Hall, MD 20622. A Funeral Service will be celebrated on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Christ Episcopal Church, 112 Charles Street, LaPlata, MD 20646. Interment will immediately follow the Funeral Service at Mount Rest Cemetery in LaPlata, MD.

Serving as pallbearers will be Timothy McNey, Dylan McNey, Randy Webb, Casey Jones, Hunter McNey, and Emily Nicole McNey.

Memorial contributions in Mary's name may be made to the Seventh District Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 7, Avenue, MD 20609 or the American Breast Cancer Foundation, 10440 Little Patuxent Parkway, Suite 300, Columbia, MD 21044 or https://prevention.abcf.org/donate.

Condolences may be left for the family at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com.

Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A.