Mary Hintz Frederick, 80, of Durham, North Carolina, passed away on April 17, 2026. Born on January 21, 1946, in Durham, she lived a life defined by warmth, laughter, and an extraordinary ability to connect with others. Mary was known for her vibrant personality and her gift for making everyone feel like a close friend. Whether you knew her for five minutes or a lifetime, she left a lasting impression. She loved music, storytelling, playing cards with lifelong friends, and spending time with family, always bringing joy and energy into every room she entered. She became affectionately known as “The Bug Lady,” a nickname given by the many clients and friends she served and charmed over the years. As a child, her father's military career had the family living coast to coast, including Arizona, Florida, Maryland and abroad in Austria. Later in life, after she met her husband Jim, his work took them to California and D.C., Charlotte and Winston Salem, before settling in Durham.

Mary had a passion for music which came naturally, having a mother who sang publicly and a father who was a leader in the U.S. Army Band as a Master Sergeant. She played several instruments and became the first female first-chair trumpet player at Durham High School. With the band, Mary performed in New York City at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and she performed locally with her instrumental group, The Dixieland Band.

Her fun-loving activities didn't stop there. On the softball field, she played first base and later helped coach her daughters’ teams. She was also an avid bowler, passing that love of the game on to her girls and earning multiple trophies over the years. Above all, she was a devoted supporter of her family, never missing a single sporting event of her children or grandchildren. She is survived by her daughters, Heather Frederick Daniels of Durham, North Carolina, and Misty McKnight and her husband, Gem McKnight, of Edgemoor, South Carolina; her grandson, Trevor Daniels; her sisters, Suzanne Hollacher and Rita Hintz; her brother, Johnny Hintz; and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family members. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Mary Hintz; her husband, James (Jim) Frederick; her brothers, Bill and Richard Hintz; and her grandson, Jeremy Daniels. 

A memorial service will be held at Hudson Funeral Home, 211 S Miami Blvd, Durham, North Carolina 27703, on May 16, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be shared in a way that is meaningful to you, including donations in her memory to a local animal shelter or to support her grandson’s music ministry, Trev Official.

Mary’s legacy of love, humor, and connection will live on in all who knew her.