Mary Fenelon was a longtime advocate for affordable housing, and she brought that commitment to her service on the Board of Hope Solutions.
Described by her daughter as ambitious, passionate, and always on the move, Mary devoted much of her life to causes that supported people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity. “She was not one to ever sit down on the couch and read a magazine,” her daughter, Theresa, recalled. “She always needed to be involved in something.” After retiring, she moved from the East Coast to the Bay Area in 2001 to be closer to family, and not long after, she found herself getting involved in housing advocacy.
“Mary was a rare combination of grace, style, kindness, and grit. She was strong in her convictions yet brought pizazz and joy to every situation. She was a woman ahead of her time – independently devoted to her family and community. She left the world a better place. Thank you Mary, for everything. ” – Louise Bourassa, former CEO, Contra Costa Interfaith Housing
Raised on a farm in South Dakota during the Great Depression, she grew up with a strong appreciation for having a stable place to live. Later, after living and working in cities like Washington D.C. and New York, before moving to California, she became more aware of the housing challenges people faced, especially in the Bay Area. The contrast between the region’s high cost of living and extraordinary wealth disparity made a big impression on her.
For Mary, this was a problem that called for people to pay attention and get involved. She believed that many families are closer to housing insecurity than they may realize, and that helping people stay in their homes is an important part of addressing homelessness.
Her involvement extended across several community groups. She was active with her Unitarian church and worked alongside organizations such as Hope Solutions (formerly Contra Costa Interfaith Housing) and Trinity Center. At Hope Solutions, she served on the board and supported the organization’s mission with care and dedication. She also encouraged others, including her family, to take part in events like Ruby Slippers and support the work in whatever ways they could.
Mary felt strongly that supporting affordable housing was a shared community responsibility. She was especially aware of how NIMBY attitudes can stand in the way of needed housing in the Bay Area, and she believed local communities have an important role to play in making affordable housing a reality.
That sense of purpose showed up in the way she lived her life. A lesson from her own parents stayed with her: “A day is not wasted if you’ve done some work.” Whether through her career, volunteering, or committee service, Mary carried that belief with her.
Even as her health slowed her down, she still found ways to help, whether through volunteering or smaller tasks that still made a difference. Up until the last six months of her life, she remained involved in whatever ways she could.
Mary’s legacy at Hope Solutions is one of steady commitment, kindness, and community spirit. She cared deeply about housing justice and worked in ways both big and small to support that cause.
“It’s very meaningful to see her remembered so fondly,” her daughter Theresa shared. “She poured a lot into this work.”