Mary grew up in New Philadelphia and attended New Philadelphia High School where she was a cheerleader from 9th-11th grade. She was high-spirited with a heart of gold who sang for her church choir. Her dream was to be a singer and at the age of 16 sang for the Grange Band.
Mary met Patrolas at the YMCA public pool and they were married. She spent 20 years as a US Air Force wife. They loved to go out and dance and Mary was a member of the women of Moose lodge 1818 for almost 40 years in Arlington, Texas, and was an expert croquetter. She won many contests and had a blanket win at the Tennessee State Fair. She made a croquette Christmas stocking for each of her grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Mary is preceded in death by her husband, Patrolas Z. Space, son James Patrick Space, son-in-law Philip Ray Johnson, grandsons Patrick Space and Philip Ray Johnson II.
She is survived by her daughter Patricia Johnson, granddaughter Jennifer Rodriguez and her husband, Jerry, grandson Tom Ackerman and his wife, Kera, granddaughter-in-law Nicole Breazeale, great-grandchildren: Anna Kate Ackerman, Claire Lauren Ackerman, Alexander Johnson-Breazeale and daughter-in-law Laura Space.