Mary Therese Privette

Mary was born on September 11, 1936, in Cleveland, Ohio, to the late Alexander Joseph Buchtinec and Mary Isabel Fitzgibbons Buchtinec. She grew up in Cleveland and went on to pursue a career dedicated to caring for others.

Mary graduated from the Cleveland Metropolitan Hospital School of Nursing and became a Registered Nurse. She later attended flight school with the United States Air Force in Aerospace Medicine at Brooks Air Force Base in Texas. Mary proudly served as a flight nurse in the U.S. Air Force for 14 years, including service during the Vietnam era.

On February 22, 1974, Mary married the love of her life, Foy Edwin Privette. Together they shared many years of marriage until his passing.

Mary was a devoted Roman Catholic and a woman who cherished time with family. She loved gardening, traveling, cooking, and especially spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Those who knew her will remember her kindness, compassion, and the way she made people feel valued.

She is survived by her brother, Alexander Joseph Buchtinec of Cleveland, Ohio; her sisters, Margaret Ann Beitzel of Mt. Joy, Pennsylvania, and Eileen Elizabeth Dropic of Brook Park, Ohio; her stepdaughters, Rita Allen and Debbie Meehan, both of Homosassa, Florida; as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Foy Edwin Privette; her parents, Alexander J. Buchtinec and Mary I. Fitzgibbons Buchtinec; her sister, Rose C. Pavlik; and her stepson, Peter Privette.

In her family history Mary once wrote, "I was born September 11, 1936 during the Great Depression. How do I want to be remembered? I hope that at some point in my life, I made someone feel that they counted."