Mary Stoll Ferrara

Mary Stoll Ferrara, surrounded by her family, peacefully passed into eternal rest at her Mount Pleasant home on Thursday May 30, 2024. 

She was born in Charleston SC on March 9, 1945, to Bernard T. Ehrhardt and Elisabeth Prince Ehrhardt. She was raised in a loving family in Charleston and as a child spent her summers at the family’s beach house on Sullivan’s Island. She attended Catholic parochial schools, graduated from Bishop England High School, and became a Fairest Flower of the Southland upon graduation from Winthrop College (University) in 1967. It was during these formative years that her cheerful personality and enthusiasm came to the fore and would define her character for the rest of her life. She was outgoing, friendly, funny, sometimes quirky, often dramatic, and always fun to be around. She made friends easily and some of her schoolmates would remain her best and most loyal friends for the rest of her life.

Mary Stoll married her high school sweetheart, Bill Ferrara. Their life together would span 57 joyful years, and Bill’s love and dedication to Mary Stoll became an inspiration to their children. She was a devoted mother to their 2 daughters, Lisa and Becky. She relished her motherhood role and poured all her time and energy into being the best that a mother could be. She was thrilled to become a grandmother and was anointed with the title “MiMi.” Her grandchildren, David and Daniel, came along after she had retired and she took every opportunity to spend time with them. She truly savored the experience of seeing the boys grow from infants into young men.

She was the youngest of 4 children that included 2 sisters and 1 brother. It was her 2 sisters who were truly her role models in life. Together their families included 13 nieces and nephews who lovingly called her “Stolzy.” They were blessed with large family gatherings filled with laughter, love, and a little bit of chaos.

Mary Stoll was a devout Catholic and true believer in Catholic education. She taught second grade at Christ Our King-Stella Maris School, a position she would hold for over 20 years until her retirement. Her departure from COK-SM was brief. A few years later, she returned almost every school day for 11 years in the carpool line to pick up her grandchildren after school.

In addition to family and friends, Mary Stoll’s other interests included Clemson football and playing bridge. She was an avid Tiger fan and loved wearing orange on football Saturdays. Growing up in a family of card-playing women, she was taught how to play bridge by her mother while in high school. As a member of multiple bridge clubs, she played regularly her entire life until a few months before her death.

A woman of indomitable spirit whose smile and infectious giggle are legendary, Mary Stoll never let life’s challenges diminish her brightness. She was beloved by all who knew her and will be deeply missed by her family and friends.  

She was predeceased by her parents, sisters, Elizabeth De Filippis and Caroline Condon. She is survived by her husband Bill, daughters, Lisa Ferrara of Charleston, SC and Rebecca Ferrara and husband Ralph Burgwald of Atlanta, GA, grandchildren David Cain of Chicago, IL and Daniel Cain of Charleston, SC, her brother Ted Ehrhardt and wife Nina Robinson of Brooklyn, NY, 11 nieces, 2 nephews, and a special mother-in-law, Jean Ferrara.

The family will receive visitors from 5:00-7:00pm on Monday, June 10, 2024, at McAlister-Smith Funeral and Cremation, 1520 Rifle Range Road, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00am on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at Stella Maris Roman Catholic Church. Burial will follow at 12:00pm at Holy Cross Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Christ Our King-Stella Maris School, 1183 Russell Drive, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 or to a charity of your choice.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, Mount Pleasant, SC.