Mary L. "Peaches" Schenck
12/17/38 – 12/14/20

Mary L. Schenck, eldest daughter of the late Jose and Candida Tavares peacefully went home to Jesus on Monday December 14, 2020 while at home with her loving family. Mary loved and cherished her family and friends beyond words she was a matriarch. She is survived by her children Sandra Schenck (John), James Schenck Jr. (Michelle), Antonio Schenck, James Goddard (Melissa), Lisa Goddard, Gina Washington and Kizzy Davis. She was preceded in death by her daughter Yvonne Schenck and siblings Theresa Christy and Joseph Tavares Jr. Mary is survived by her sisters Joanna Fernandez, Bernadette Means-Tavares and Rita Tavares-Burk, 17 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, 4 Godchildren, many nieces, nephews, loving family members and an abundance of dear friends she loved them all.
A lifelong resident of Providence Mary retired from the Providence School department, a job she loved with lasting friendships. Mary was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars along with her Mother and Sisters. Loving her community, she was very involved in community service work. Mary helped to pilot the community policing on the East Side of Providence, was President on the Providence Head Start Board where she served for many years and severed as the President of the Holy Name Conference of the Society of St. Vincent DePaul. She was a member for 10 years and President and Vice president for 8. During these years she and the organization provided many families with rental and utility assistance and spiritual guidance, she always had trouble turning anyone away. For many years she ran the food pantry with the aid of her children and grandchildren’s help while teaching them to care for everyone. During the holidays she helped to distribute Thanksgiving baskets and Christmas toys to families in the parish, she was always involved in helping others. Mary was an exceptional woman loved by all and will be missed by everyone.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, December 19, 2020 at 10am in the Holy Name Church, 107 Camp St, Providence. Burial will be private due to state restrictions.