Mary Eileen BoetschJanuary 24, 1951June 19, 2017Mary Eileen Boetsch, a tour de force in the Nevada legal community for almost forty years, passed away on June 19, 2017, surrounded by family, and friends who had become like family. Mary was born on January 24, 1951, to William N. and MaryAgnes Boetsch, in Crystal Lake, Illinois, where she also grew up. She was the fifth of six children, and the first girl. She was preceded in death by both her parents and two of her brothers, Dennis and William Boetsch. She is survived by her brothers Gerry and Rich, and sister Barbara, her sisters/brothers-in-law, Shirley Rocheford, Pat Boetsch, and Scott Tanner, as well as all her nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews.Mary attended the University of Illinois, where she intended to attend medical school to become a surgeon. When she was not accepted into medical school, Mary attended law school at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (a good friend would later comment that he could not imagine a surgeon with fingers as short as Mary's). After graduating, Mary followed her childhood friend Rose out west and settled in Reno, where she clerked for the Washoe County District Attorney's office from March 1980, until she was admitted to the Nevada Bar in September 1980. Mary continued as a prosecutor at the District Attorney's office from 1980 to 1985, where she worked under Cal Dunlap, and then Mills Lane. Legend has it that Mills Lane once asked her what her goals as an attorney were, to which Mary replied, "I want your job." In October 1985, Mary entered private practice with another former prosecutor with the DA's office, Patrick Mooney. In January 1995, Mooney & Boetsch joined Sinai & Schroeder, and a few years later they were joined by Thomas C. Bradley, and James P. Pace, to form Sinai, Schroeder, Mooney, Boetsch, Bradley & Pace, where she was a partner at the time of her death.During her long legal career, Mary served Northern Nevada in many capacities, and through many organizations, too many to list here. However, the highlights are: Admitted to practice law in all courts in the State of Nevada, as well as the United States District Court, District of Nevada, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court of the United States; Special Prosecutor for the City of Reno and the Washoe County District Attorney's offices for conflict cases; Prosecutor for the Commission on Judicial Ethics; Pro tem judge in both the Reno Justice and Municipal Courts; Court Master in the Family Division of the Second Judicial District Court; CJA Panel Member through the U.S. District Court where she represented indigent criminal clients in the federal system; Member of State of Nevada Ethics Commission, where she acted as Chairperson from 1996 until 1999; early past member and President of Northern Nevada Women Lawyers; member of the State Bar of Nevada, and the Washoe County Bar Association, where she served in every executive office, including as President during 1997-1998; member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys; and Master Emeritus and Past President of the Inns of Court.Mary also loved educating future generations, participating in the State Bar of Nevada's Mock Trial program, and acting as past President and Board Member of Parents United of Washoe County, where she spoke to the Reno High School Government Classes on an annual basis about past high profile criminal cases.While in private practice, over the past 32 years Pat and Mary represented well over 7,000 clients. In spite of her many career accomplishments, Mary never became jaded or lost her humanity. Put simply, Mary loved the law and she loved using her expertise in her profession to help people. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.Outside of the office, she loved her family, friends, and cats with equal devotion, and she was never without a good book to dive into.A celebration of her life is planned for Friday, July 28, 2017, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (ish) at the Lake Mansion, located at 250 Court Street, Reno, Nevada. Please send RSVP, if possible, as well as anecdotes or remembrances regarding Mary to [email protected], or fax to 775-323-5178. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mary's name to the Nevada Humane Society, or a .