Marie Mansfield obit

 Woman's Baseball Star Marie Mansfield Has Died

She was not on the list.

Visiting hours at the Alfred D. Thomas Funeral Home 326 Granite Ave Milton Friday morning, February 2 from 8:30am to 10am. Funeral Mass at St. Agatha Church, Milton Friday morning at 10:30. Interment will be in Knollwood Memorial Park, Canton Marie M. Kelley, a cherished soul known for her loving heart and passionate spirit, passed away peacefully on January 28, 2024, at the D’youville Nursing Home in Lowell, MA. Born on November 4, 1931, in Boston, MA, to John A. Mansfield and Georgina (Towner), Marie's life was a testament to the joy and resilience that define the human spirit.

 Marie was the beloved wife of the late William Kelley. She was a devoted mother to her daughter, Marie, and her husband, Jack White of Tewksbury, MA. Her role as a grandmother was one she cherished deeply, showering love upon her granddaughter, Elizabeth, and her husband, Carl Caporale of Wilmington, MA. Marie's joy was further multiplied with the birth of her great-granddaughter, Iris Caporale. Her passing is also mourned by many loving nieces, nephews, and a multitude of friends who were touched by her kindness and warmth.

 A proud graduate of her local high school, Marie's work ethic shone brightly throughout her life. She served many years as a dedicated cafeteria server at the Fisher Jr. College in Boston, where she was known for her cheerful demeanor and ability to brighten anyone's day. Her colleagues and the students she served were often greeted with her encouraging smile, making the cafeteria more than just a place to eat but a place to find a friendly face.

 Marie's interests and passions painted the canvas of her life with vibrant colors. Her love for golf was more than a hobby; it was a chapter of her life where she excelled and found great joy. Marie's athletic prowess was showcased when she played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League for five years, an experience that later led to her making an appearance in the beloved movie "A League of Their Own." This period of her life was filled with fond memories and lasting friendships.

 An avid walker, Marie believed in the importance of staying active and embracing the simple pleasures of life. She was the heart of her family, always putting them first and ensuring that love was the foundation upon which all else was built. Her special trips to the casino with her sister Joan were filled with laughter and sisterly bonding that only grew stronger with time.

 Marie's "Golf Buddies," a group of friends who shared her passion for the game, will remember her for her competitive yet gracious spirit on the green. These shared moments of camaraderie and friendly competition were cherished times that spoke to Marie's ability to connect with others and celebrate life's joys.

 Described by those who knew her as loving, kind, and passionate, Marie's legacy is one of unwavering positivity and the ability to inspire those around her. She approached each day with a zest for life and an open heart, teaching by example the power of kindness and the importance of nurturing relationships.

 Marie's life journey reminds us all that the roles we play—whether as a family member, a friend, or a colleague—are opportunities to leave a lasting impact on the world. Her memory will live on in the hearts of those she loved and those who loved her. As we bid farewell to Marie M. Kelley, we celebrate a life well-lived, a life filled with purpose, and a heart that was truly one of a kind.

 Born in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, Mansfield began playing softball at age 12. She entered the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League in 1950 with the Rockford Peaches, playing for them as a fourth outfielder and at first base. Guided by her manager Bill Allington, she showed promise on the pitcher's mound with her fluid overhand delivery, which the league had converted in 1946. Allington did not hesitate to include her in the Peaches pitching staff.

 In 1951 Mansfield teamed up with Rose Gacioch and Helen Fox to give Rockford a strong one-two-three punch pitching combination in the eight-team circuit. She collected a 16–8 record and a 2.85 earned run average in 30 games, ending fifth in wins, eighth in innings pitched (202), and third in strikeouts (121) behind Jean Faut of the South Bend Blue Sox (135) and Margaret Holgerson of the Grand Rapids Chicks (123). In addition, Gacioch finished 20–7 and Fox went 18–7 to assure a berth in the postseason. In the first round of the best-of-three series, Rockford swept the favored Chicks backed by victories from Fox and Mansfield and the bats of Eleanor Callow and Dorothy Kamenshek. The Peaches won the first two games of the final best-of-five series, but South Bend claimed the championship by winning them three games in a row.

 Mansfield moved to the ill-fated Battle Creek Belles in 1952, as the AAGPBL shifted players as needed to help some teams stay afloat. Nevertheless, she rejoined the Peaches late in the year in time to help the team in the playoffs. She dropped for a combined 3–14 record in the regular season, while Rockford advanced to the finals after sweeping the Fort Wayne Daisies in two games. The 1952 championship series was a repeat of the previous year with the Peaches again facing the Blue Sox. This time Rockford lost to South Bend, three to two games. Faut was the winning pitcher in the decisive Game 5, hitting two triples and driving in two runs while turning in a 6–3 complete game performance.

 In 1953 Mansfield went 10–12 with 143 strikeouts and a 2.82 ERA, tying with Faut for the most strikeouts in the season. Fourth place Rockford faced second place Grand Rapids in the first round of the best-of-three series. Rockford was the winner in Game 1 by a 9–2 score, but Earlene Risinger pitched a 2–0 shutout to lead the Chicks in Game 2, while Dorothy Mueller held off the Peaches on eight hits in the final game, to send Grand Rapids into the finals.

 Mansfield had a 5–8 record in 1954, finishing seventh in ERA (3.27) and ninth in strikeouts, during what turned out to be the league's final season. With five teams in the circuit, the only team not to make it to the postseason was the last place Rockford Peaches.

 In a five-season career, Mansfield collected a 34–42 record and a 3.33 ERA in 92 pitching appearances. She went 1–2 in three postseason games, even though she posted a solid 0.86 ERA in 21 innings of work.