Mary K. Cretcher was born in Battle Creek, MI on October 17, 1932 to Leonard Joseph and Natalie Rose Klukowski. She shared her childhood with 2 older brothers, Arnold and Hugh, whom she adored. Mary spent her educational and formative years at Battle Creeks, St. Philips Catholic School. It was an affiliation along with family that would grow her lifelong Catholic devotion. She later obtained her LVN and was very involved with her sorority, Beta Sigma Phi.
In January of 1954, she wed the kind, talented, and handsome, James Russell Cretcher, Jr. at St. Josephs Catholic Church in Battle Creek. 2 years later, Jim accepted a job to work for Lockheed Missiles and Space in California. So with their first of 4 children, Laura Ann (age 1), they loaded up the DeSoto and drove 10 days through snow and blizzards on the famed Route 66. California remained home for Mary and Jim. They lived in Santa Clara, Cupertino, San Jose, Roseville, and lastly Lincoln.
Mary was an amazing woman and devoted wife and mother. While raising her 4 children, she had a very active working and social life. At Fremont High School, she was the school nurse, a secretary for the English Dept. at Lynbrook High, and Administrative assistant at Stauffer Chemical (later, ICI). She also volunteered many hours singing with her beautiful voice, in the choirs of St. Josephs of Cupertino and St. Rose of Lima Parish in Roseville, CA. In addition to that she often volunteered with the Altar societies, often hand and machine sewing their beautiful projects. Socially, Mary was a dynamo, belonging to many groups throughout her life including golf, bridge, and sorority. In her later life she greatly enjoyed the sisterhood of the MK Chapter of the PEO sorority. Mary had quite a competitive streak too, she loved to play poker and scrabble with her favorite pal, her brother Arnie (Arnold), cousins, children and Grandchildren. She was a true lady in every sense of the word and loved fashion and bringing a classic style to the colors she loved to wear, mostly blues and purples. Her favorite place was Hawaii and shared many beautiful memories with her husband and friends there.
With a witty sense of humor, keen mind, and not afraid to speak her mind, Mary was a favorite person to be around. Always an inspiration to family, friends, and other, she became even more so through her recent battle with cancer. Mary passed away peacefully at home with her daughters by her side on August 14, 2018 at the age of 85. Her strength and bravery was truly remarkable. She lived her life to the fullest and will be deeply missed by all.
She is preceded in death by her husband Jim, her parents, and her brother Hugh Klukowski. She is survived by her brother Arnie (Arnold) Clark and his loving family, Daughters; Laura Doxtater and Jan Cretcher, Sons; Leonard Cretcher and James Cretcher, III. Her legacy lives on in 11 Grandchildren and 4 Great Grandchildren all of whom she deeply loved and was so proud.
A Funeral Mass will be held Friday, October 19th at 10:00AM at Saint Rose of Lima Parish, 615 Vine Ave, Roseville, CA 95678. www.strosechurch.org. A reception will follow on site in the Church Hall to reminisce, grieve and celebrate the life of Mary Cretcher. As an expression of sympathy, please consider a donation to Mary’s favorite charity. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Visit stjude.org.
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