St. Vincent de Paul Society 39 N. Carll Ave. Babylon, NY 11702

Mary Oehrlein 08/09/1949 Spouse: Richard (53 Years) Siblings: Lawrence Nagengast (Janet) and Barbara Traver, deceased (Arthur) Children: Charles Oehrlein (Kim), Anne LaBossiere (Ross), Jeanne Kanse (Eric) Grandchildren: Beth, Richard, Charlotte, Danielle, Eric, Desiree, Keila, Ariana Great Grandchildren: Nehven, Lily Many Nieces and Nephews Mary fought a courageous battle against Pancreatic Cancer for 20 Months, enduring 40 Chemotherapy treatments, then rested peacefully in Hospice for 2 weeks. Father Chris Heller Anointed her, listened to her confession, and shared the eucharist with her family. Mary will best be remembered for her electric smile that could light up a room with warmth and welcome. Mary lived by the words of the “Our Father” - “Give us this day our daily bread”. She only wanted what was enough for getting through one day at a time. Each day was seen as an opportunity and as a gift - precious to her - come what may. Married for more than 53 years, Mary and Rich were a most special couple, with their faith in God, demonstrated each day that their love had no bounds. Mary was the total Mom. Mary loved her children unconditionally. “Mom loves me best” was a game they played often, but the truth is she loved each of them best, nobody came in second. Mary had eight grandchildren and two great children through a blended family story. Mary was the fun Nana, she especially loved taking each out for something special. She was a lifelong member of St Joseph’s Parish, receiving all sacraments here. With her husband, they started the Pre Cana and Baptism preparation at home programs. She taught in-home religious education as her children went through the programs. Mary was also an Eucharistic Minister and weekday Lector. She attended 7:00 am Mass for decades. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters, the Associates of the Sisters of St Joseph, and the monthly Book Club.

Mary attended St Joseph’s Elementary School, QRA High School, and Niagara University. A career educator, with a BS in Mathematics and a Masters in Education, she taught every level of math, starting at The Academy of St Josephs in Brentwood and retiring from the Sachem School District where she taught Advanced Placement and Stem Classes. After retirement her real passion was quilting. She was a member of the Smithtown Stitchers Guild where she won several awards for entries in Biannual Quilt Shows sponsored by her Guild. Her joy was to make quilts for her family and friends to mark anniversaries, births, and birthdays, as well as to make comfort quilts for different organizations. Two of her prized quilts were for friends fighting cancer. Her last quilt, finished during her own illness, was called “Perseverance”. She was also a skilled seamstress who taught sewing at the Singer Sewing Store in West Babylon as a high school and college student. She made her own wedding dress, and then with the lining from her dress crafted a baptism gown used by all her children and grandchildren. Her dresses and outfits for her girls went from cute little dresses to lavish prom dresses. Mary was a most talented piano player, providing accompaniment for many school musicals. Cooking was an act of love and seldom did her family go a night without a sit down dinner and conversation. Friends and neighbors would count the days around Christmas to when Mary delivered her famous Christmas Shortbread cookies to their doors. Mary loved to travel and enjoyed exciting adventures in Africa, Peru, Greece, Iceland, and the great cities of Europe. She only just returned from a cruise this past May having sailed down the North West Coast of Europe from Copenhagen, Denmark to Carnes in France. Her last days were spent surrounded by family and friends, expressing joy as stories and memories were shared, then finally in the warmth and peacefulness of the Hospice Inn.