Mary Farino

Mary Farino has lived in Bellows Falls for almost 50 years, raising 5 children, all graduates of Bellows Falls Union High School. Mary grew up in Lyndonville, VT where she left her mark on that community by being selected to the 1954 All-State Basketball Team and playing on the VT state district championship team that same year. She will be honored for these accomplishments in Lyndon’s Hall of Fame later this year. After she moved to Bellows Falls with her husband, Ben, she continued her love for athletics and served as the manager at the town pool where she taught area youth swimming lessons for many years. She later volunteered her time for several summers directing a multi-age synchronized swimming show, which was the highlight of many BF residents' summers. She was also a frequent volunteer in the concessions stand at Bellows Falls Little League games, serving hot dogs and “graveyard” sodas while her children ran around on the fields of the playground. In addition, Mary served on the Bellows Falls Emblem Club, where she was eventually elected President.

After taking time to focus on raising her children, Mary began her professional career at Rockingham Memorial Hospital in medical records, before working her way up to the manager of the secretaries in the business department. She began her career at BFUHS as a receptionist in 1986 and continued in this role for the next 17 years, before retiring in 2003. During her 17 years in this position, she was a regular and dedicated attendee of a variety of extracurricular events, even after all 5 of her children graduated. During her time at BFUHS, Mary attended a number of Senior Banquets at the invitation of the graduating classes. She was honored with the Terrier Spirit award and, in 2003, the school yearbook was dedicated to her. That same year, she was made a lifetime member of the Student Council and she was awarded Co-worker of the Year by WKNE-FM. When the position of tennis coach was unable to be filled, Mary (who grew up playing tennis with her 6 brothers and sisters and who, later, instilled a love of the game in her own children), stepped into the role as co-coach. At the time she was 66 years old.

After her retirement, Mary did not abandon her love for the Terrier community. Continuing her love for music (she played Bloody Mary in Lyndon State College’s production of the musical South Pacific), she was asked to come back for a guest solo at a BFUHS choral performance of “I Feel Pretty.” She also continued to sell tickets at numerous sporting events and even now, 18 years after retirement, Mary continues to substitute teach at the High School. Perhaps the most accurate description of Mary’s true achievements in the BFUHS community can be summed up by the Class of 2003 Yearbook Dedication: “She’s a person whose friendly voice you can hear throughout the school. She has a smile for everyone. She loves talking about our school; its sports, its activities, and all things Terrier. Any student with a problem or question is given love always, help as needed, and the ever-ready encouraging word.”