Our beautiful mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend Mary Monica Ifill passed away peacefully due to dementia on July 29, 2020, in Newark, Delaware, formerly of Pelham, New York, she was 83.

The sixth of nine children, Mary was born on July 2, 1937, in the Parish of St. Michael, Barbados to the parents, the late Gordon L. Ifill and Annie Ifill (Browne). Later her family moved to Newbury, St. George where she grew up.

In 1964, Mary left Barbados to work in Montreal, Canada, and later moved to New York City, New Rochelle and Pelham, NY. For many years she worked as a domestic/caregiver until her retirement in 2009. She was wed to her late husband, Charles A. Speede.

Mary always had a smile on her face, kind, and always wanted to help others. Her true calling was her love for gardening.  She was the envy on the block with her beautiful garden. She enjoyed planting everything from garden vegetables to turning seedlings into beautiful plants.  Always the fashionista too, she loved to shop till you drop and always a must…. lipstick on her lips, even if it was a quick run to the supermarket. She also enjoyed traveling, enjoying trips to Atlantic City, the Caribbean, France, Switzerland, and Las Vegas.  She was also a member of The Church of St. Simon the Cyrenian, New Rochelle, NY.

She is survived by her daughter, Joyce Black-Speede of Newark, DE; brothers, Dr. Gordon Ifill of Hilton Head, SC, Colin Ifill of Kingston, Jamaica, , Edwin Ifill of Newbury, St. George, Barbados; Sisters, Sheila Ifill of Newbury, St. George, Barbados and Shirley Ifill Turner of Teaneck, NJ. Grandchild, Brandon Black-Speede of Newark, DE, son-in-law Andrew Black-Speede of Newark, DE. Nieces, Michelle Ifill Jenkins, New Rochelle, NY, Deidre Ifill Stills, New Milford, NJ, Gregory Ifill, Brooklyn, NY, Desiree Ifill Lee, McDonough, GA, and Dr. Samantha Ifill, Brooklyn, NY. She is remembered by many of her friends old and new, including Monica Earle and the family of the late Dr. Howard Essner; Susan and Mitchell Essner.

A memorial service will be forthcoming.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary’s honor to the Alzheimer’s Association www.act.alz.org.