Mary Jane Baughman Oravetz

Mary Jane White was born the fourth of seven children to Eugene Carroll and Jessie Florence White on August 26, 1923 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where she spent most of her childhood. She graduated from the Visitation Academy in Frederick, Maryland and attended the University of Minnesota. Mary served as a US Navy WAVE during WW2, where she met her first husband, Willard (Bill) Baughman, and they lived in Ohio,

Illinois, and Florida. During her time as a homemaker and devoted mother, she enjoyed making clothes for her three daughters and went on to become an accomplished seamstress. While she explored the possibility of starting her own fashion design business in Illinois, she made custom clothing, wedding gowns, and formal attire. A move to Florida when Bill retired in 1969 ended the business plan, but she went on to do alterations at an exclusive dress shop there. Later, she managed a Christian book store for several years. All the while, Mary loved to entertain and to spend time with family and friends.

Mary and Bill were married for 52 years until his death in 1998. After 6 years as a widow, she married Ray Oravetz, whom she had known for 40 years. They lived in Vero Beach, Florida for 7 years. In early 2011 Mary suffered a spinal collapse, which left her wheelchair bound and later bedridden, both of which conditions she worked to overcome, never complaining. In 2013 they moved to Ohio to live with and be cared for by Ray's daughter and son-in-law. They were married almost 11 years when he passed away, exactly 1 year prior to her passing.

The major turning point in Mary's life came at the age of 43, when she trusted Christ as her Savior. She loved church, singing in the choir, and leading Bible studies. She cherished every opportunity she had to tell others about Jesus. Even during last few years of her life living in a nursing home, she continued to witness to, counsel and pray for others from her bed.

Mary is survived by two daughters, Susan Pisarra and husband Mark of Bixby, Oklahoma, and Laurie Baughman Villafranca and her husband Antonio of Pratt de Llobregat (Barcelona), Spain, son-in-law Arthur Waters of Spain, 8 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren in Oklahoma and Spain; a sister, Dorothy Menalis, a brother, John White, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husbands Bill Baughman and Ray Oravetz, her daughter, Carol Baughman Waters of Spain, brothers Bill White, Larry White, and Dick White, and sister Stella Worcester.

Her family is grateful for all the wonderful caregivers who ministered to her at Hospitality Home in Xenia, Ohio, Glennwood Healthcare in Glenpool, Oklahoma, and Good Shepherd Hospice of the Tulsa, Oklahoma area. We are particularly grateful to Karyl and Carl Brandon in Cedarville, Ohio, Ray Oravetz' daughter and son-in-law, for lovingly

and selflessly caring for Mary and Ray for over 3 years when their needs were the greatest. We are also grateful for the ministry of the Cedarville Senior Center, which met a great social need for her and Ray, and for the important role of Christian friends and Sunday School classes.

Mary will be laid to rest with her husband Bill at Fountainhead Memorial Park in Palm Bay, Florida (more information 321-727-3977). Entombment will take place there at 2:00 pm Saturday, September 10, following an informal gathering of remembrance. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cedarville Senior Center, 48 N. Main St., Cedarville, OH 45314.

"She was generous, caring, and full of life."