SCHAPER, Mary A. (Koch) age 100, of Babylon Village, passed away peacefully at her home with family by her side on May 22, 2023. Born in Franzenburg, Germany, she immigrated to the US at age 7, joining her parents and younger sister, who were already living in the Bronx. The family moved a few times within NY as opportunities developed for her father to pursue the proprietorship of a number of delicatessens. They arrived in Babylon in 1938 where Mary has been ever since. Although she graduated high school with honors and a scholarship to Adelphi University, her higher education did not commence until the last of her five children left for college. Earning a degree in nursing and a Masters in Public Health from SUNY Stony Brook, she had a fulfilling career spanning 22 years at Southside Hospital where she earned the Nurse of Distinction Award for her service as Nursing Education Instructor. After retiring at age 81, her contributions to the community continued with volunteer work including a return to Southside Hospital, teaching CPR, working the polls on Election Day and actively participating in work at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church, where she served as Parish Nurse for 15 years. Her happiest memories were of spending summers on a small, rustic island in the Great South Bay raising her ever-growing family alongside her husband, Louis Schaper, co-owner of the Sunrise Fish Company. Devoted to her family and to helping others, she was the most generous and giving person, touching countless people with her kindness. She will be greatly missed by her family and all who knew her. Louis, her devoted husband of 60 years, predeceased her on August 1, 2002. She is survived by her sons, Richard (wife Anita) of Mill Valley, CA; Robert (wife Doris) of N. Guilford, CT; and Ronny (wife Andrea) of Coral Springs, FL; and daughters, Robin of Babylon, NY; and Heidi (husband Gary) of Smithtown, NY. A sixth child, Raymond, was lost when born prematurely. She also leaves behind eight grandchildren; Rebecca, Gilman, Elizabeth, Tristan, Trevor, Kerilyn, Karl and Ava; and twelve great-grandchildren, with another on the way. Visitation at Boyd-Spencer Funeral Home, May 29, 4-8 pm, with funeral services at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church, on Tuesday May 30th at 11:00 am, followed by burial at LI National Cemetery, Farmingdale.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Boyd-Spencer.com for the Schaper family.
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