Mary Ettlinger

“A Million Acts of Selflessness and Love”

Mary was born to be an amazing mother. It was truly her calling. The millions of things she did for her children, husband, and grandchildren each week created a wonderful, loving life for her family. Mary’s daily acts of love and sacrifice throughout her life for family and friends made all our lives richer and better.

Mary Nesbitt attended Notre Dame Academy from Kindergarten through 12th grade. Later she graduated from business school and worked as an executive assistant at Calmar, a subsidiary of Diamond International, Clark, NJ. She married her husband of over 50 years, Todd W. Ettlinger, and together they moved to Atlanta, GA then raised two daughters in Staten Island, NY and Readington, NJ.

Mary enjoyed sailing, gardening, and flying private planes. She flew solo and copiloted for her husband on weekend adventures, just as she did in life. When her husband earned the Louis R. Miller Business Leadership award from the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, he said he was most proud of his daughters and the mother who raised them. She will be greatly missed and eternally loved.

Mary Nesbitt Ettlinger, 78, passed away July 7, 2026 after facing Alzheimer’s disease and handling it with courage and grace for a decade.

She is survived by her sisters, Ann Chlebicki and Susan Ryan, her daughters, Ann Ettlinger and Kate Ettlinger von der Osten, and five grandchildren, Myra Ettlinger, Eva von der Osten, Luke von der Osten, Ash Rodriguez, and Grayson Rodriguez.

A funeral mass is planned in the Church of St. Clare-110 Nelson Avenue, Staten Island on Tuesday, July 21,2026 at 11:00am with a burial at Moravian Cemetery to follow. Anyone wishing to remember Mary through a donation might consider the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund at curealz.org.

1948, Mary was a resident of Staten Island, New York.