Mary Elizabeth Reiling

Mary was born in Manchester, NH on July 21. 1920, the daughter of Patrick and Margaret O'Neill Leslie. At three years of age, her parents moved the family to Ft. Wayne. Mary was a graduate of St. Catherine's cademy in Ft. Wayne. She met her husband, John Thomas Reiling, in Ft. Wayne and the couple was later married in Richmond, California in 1941. Mary and John lived in Greencastle, Indiana from 1953 - 1983 when they retired and moved back to Ft. Wayne. John Reiling passed away in 1996.

Mary worked at many different jobs in her lifetime. She worked for the Greencastle Public Schools as secretary to the principal at Ridpath Elementary School, in the Superintendent's Office, and as head baker at Greencastle High School. She was a receptionist for two doctors' offices in Greencastle as well as secretary to the History Department of DePauw University.

Mary was a member of St. Paul's Catholic Church in Greencastle and for many years was the religious coordinator. In the Ft. Wayne area, she was a member of Queen of Angels, St. Andrew's, and St. Louis Besancon Catholic Churches. She continued to be active in religious education and often sang in the choir.

In Greencastle, Mary was a longtime member of a Home Demonstration Club where she met many women who remained good friends. She loved the arts and in her retirement began oil painting. During her years in Vermont, she took weekly private painting lessons from a wonderful and kind teacher who encouraged her creativity.

Just after Christmas 2004, Mary moved to Burlington, VT to be closer to her daughter. She lived at Heineberg Senior Housing and was active in the Senior Center next door. In January 2012, she moved across town to the Converse Home when she needed a little more care. This past January, she moved to Greenview, the memory care unit of the Converse Home. The staff at the Converse Home took remarkable care of Mary.

Mary was a warm and generous person and a great mother. She had a sweet smile and a twinkle in her eye. Everyone seemed to like her! She will be missed more than she could have imagined.

Mary leaves behind daugthers Pamela Kovacich of Albuquergue, NM and Michele (Tom) McCaffrey of Essex, VT; brother James (Marty) Leslie of Ossian, IN; graddaughter Thais (Scott) Alexander of Chicago, IL; twin great-grandchildren Celeste and Rhys Alexander; sister-in-law Bette Reiling of Ft. Wayne; and several nieces, nephews, and cousings. Mary was preceaded in death by her husband, John T. Reiling and her sister, Margaret A. Mowan.

Contributions in Mary's name may be sent to the Heineberg Senior Center, 72 Heineberg Road, Burlington, VT, 05408.