Born in Cleveland to the late Charles and Alice O’Malley, Mary was a woman whose heart was firmly rooted in faith and family. She was the beloved wife of the late Daniel Custer, who preceded her in death in 1993, and a devoted mother to her cherished daughter, Christine Price, who passed away on October 4, 2025. Though she endured deep loss, Mary’s love for her family never wavered.
She was a proud and loving grandmother to Karen Custer, Amanda Isenhart (Jim), Rachael A. Deyarmin (Henry Jr.), Autumn Deyarmin (Randy), Sean Custer (Angel), and Olivia Custer, and a joyful great-grandmother to 17, as well as a great-great-grandmother to Mercedes. Nothing brought Mary greater happiness than time spent with her family, especially her grandchildren, whom she adored beyond measure.
Mary was the dear sister of the late Donald and Charles O’Malley and a loving sister-in-law to Mary Ann Reed (Joe, deceased), Judy Sterman (Bill, deceased), and the late Martha Burchaski (Carl), Tommy Custer (Teresa), Nancy Custer, Milliteen Klatik, Elizabeth Rose (Woody), Patricia Canterbury (Don), and Timothy Custer. She was a devoted aunt and a treasured friend whose kindness and warmth touched many lives.
Her faith was the foundation of her life. Mary faithfully prayed the Rosary every Wednesday and was a longtime member of St. Ignatius Catholic Church and the Salvation Army. Her quiet devotion reflected the grace and compassion with which she lived each day.
Mary embraced life’s simple joys—sitting in the sun and feeling its warmth, tending to her garden, shopping, getting her hair done, and enjoying a good meal. She loved Italian food, especially spaghetti, and never passed up a visit to her favorite local bakeries for something sweet. Fridays were reserved for dinner out with her grandchildren, Saturdays for movie night. She delighted in holiday plays at Tower City, Playhouse Square, and the Beck Center for the Arts, and she enjoyed playing cards and sharing laughter.
She loved Christmas above all holidays, finding pure joy in watching children open their gifts. Mary also had a sense of adventure, taking spontaneous trips and traveling across the country with her daughter, making memories that will be cherished forever.
Mary A. Custer will be remembered for her unwavering faith, her generous heart, her love of family, and the gentle way she made everyone feel welcome and loved. Her legacy lives on in the many lives she touched and the family she held so dear.
Family and friends will be received on Friday, January 9, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., followed by a funeral service at 1:00 p.m. at Craciun Berry Funeral Home, 7200 Detroit Avenue, Cleveland. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery in Brook Park, Ohio.
