Rose "Mary" Marie Bertauski

Mary was born on November 27, 1946 to Stanley and Clara Bochnowski. She married David Bertauski on September 2, 1968 and they were married for 53 years.

She obtained her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in education from Elmira College in 1988. She used her education to teach Kindergarten, 1st grade, and 2nd grade in Waverly, NY.

Mary was known affectionately by her grandchildren as "Mimi". Her relationships with them provided her great joy.

Mary loved to sew and quilt. In her lifetime, she made approximately 250 quilts and blankets. Almost every family member has at least one from her. She loved doing anything to keep her fingers nimble because of long-term arthritis. She was an avid reader and tried to teach her husband the art of speed-reading (no success). Mary was a Stephen minister, having gone through training at St. Petersburg’s Florida First United Methodist Church. She often had multiple assignments at the same time. Mary also went through mentor training in St. Petersburg, Florida and mentored high school students at St. Pete High school. She and her husband would meet with their students on the same day and time and then would go to lunch together. Unfortunately, Fredericksburg has no mentor program.

Prior to retiring, she had been recognized as a “Master Teacher”. Whatever she did, she did it well. Fellow teachers and school board members requested her by name for their children and grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband, David Bertauski; daughter, Christine Knapp (engaged to Craig Swartz) of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania; son, David Bertauski (Carrie) of Fredericksburg; brothers, Tom (Diane) Bochnowski of Munster, Indiana, Michael (Jackie) Bochnowski of Crown Point, Indiana, Junior (Cornelia) Bochnowski of Munster, Indiana, Paul (Susan) Bochnowski of Munster, Indiana; sisters Mary Margaret (Gary) Schlapinski of Franklin, Wisconsin, and Clarice (James) Ewing of Leland, North Carolina; grandchildren, Alexandra Knapp, Maksim Knapp, Rachael Bertauski, David Bertauski, and Kaleb (Krista) Feltner; and great-grandson, Judah.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network PanCan.org

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mullinsthompsonfredericksburg.com for the Bertauski family.