Mary Agnes Greenfield

Mary Agnes Greenfield, 66, lost her battle with breast cancer on May 5th, 2023 at Hock Family Pavilion.

Mary was born on January 10th, 1957, to Mary Ruth and Dr. Joseph C. Greenfield, Jr. in Durham NC. She attended the “Special Education” program at Bragtown Elementary School and continued her education at Pinecrest Haven in Belews Creek, NC. She worked at Durham Exchange Club Industries from 1982 until she retired in 2014 following bilateral hip replacement. She participated in the UNC TEACCH Autism Program and was a member of the Happiness Sunday School class at Grace Baptist Church. She was able to live with her parents until their deaths in 2020 and moved to Livewell at Birchwood Estates in 2021- her second family.

Although born with physical and intellectual challenges, she was able to live a happy and full life with the assistance of family, teachers, therapists, physicians, and many friends. Her mother was the primary caregiver of her “little friend” and her father was her tutor. Mary Agnes could recite poetry, Shakespeare, and Bible verses. She loved animals, shopping, her DVD collection, chocolate, and any rocking chair. She was fascinated by watches and vacuum cleaners and was proficient at using the telephone. For 55 years the neighbors on Virginia Ave. were an extended family who shared their pets and never forgot her on holidays. Her favorite was “my Mrs. (Elizabeth) Wilson” who answered her phone calls daily. She went to summer camp sponsored by the Association for Retarded Citizens and took many family vacations. For 20 years, she enjoyed the annual Memorial Day week at Emerald Isle with her extended females only family, including her mother, sisters, aunts Gail, Carol, Ann, Joanne and Anne, her cousins Polly, Jan, Liz, and Rosemary, family friend Janet and personal chef Walter, the only man allowed.

She is survived by her two sisters Ruth Ann Greenfield and Susan Lee Greenfield (David Colvin) of Durham.

The family would like to thank the staff at Livewell, Aegis Home Care, and Duke Home Care & Hospice and is especially grateful to Julia McMichael who took care of Mary for over 6 years.

Visitation will be held 6-8 PM Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at Hall Wynne Funeral Service.

A private interment will be held. 

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes memorial contributions be made to Duke Home Care & Hospice at 4231 Medical Park Drive #101, Durham, NC 27704.

The Greenfield family is under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service. Online condolences www.hallwynne.com