Mary Dyson Gahbauer

Mary Dyson Gahbauer, 76, passed away at her home on October 18, 2025. Mary was born on April 27th, 1949 to John and Elsie Dyson in Huddersfield, England. After studying medicine and becoming a member of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the United Kingdom, she practiced as a physician in England and South Africa. While on holiday in Germany, she met her husband of 45 years, Reinhard Gahbauer, whom she married in 1980 in Cleveland, Ohio.

In Cleveland and then Columbus, Mary dedicated herself to raising her two children, John and Alice, who remember Mary's creativity, integrity, and sense of responsibility, as shaping their childhoods. In 1989, Mary applied her knowledge and intellect to her role as a Professor of Life Science at Otterbein University, here she taught health professional students for 26 years.

Following her retirement, Mary enjoyed volunteering as docent at the Columbus Museum of Art, and especially at Trinity Episcopal Church on Capitol Square, where she served on Vestry and organized pastoral care.

Family, friends, and colleagues appreciated her quick wit, lifelong love of puns, and incisive humor. She was selflessly dedicated to her family and her chosen communities, and sought out beauty in art, handicraft, literature, and gardening. She is survived by her husband, Reinhard Gahbauer, daughter Alice Gahbauer and her husband Jay O'Neal, son John Gahbauer and his wife Rachel George, grandchildren Ella and Max Gahbauer, and her sisters Jacqueline Marshall and Margaret Handsley.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church, located at 125 E Broad St, 4th floor, Columbus, Ohio, 43215, on November 2, 2025, from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

A Final Committal will follow at the same location on November 2, 2025, from 4:00 pm to 4:30 pm.