Mary Ann Dendinger

Mary Ann Dendinger, 61, of Tiffin, died at 2:50 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17, 2016, at Volunteers of America Autumnwood Care Center, Tiffin.  She was born April 19, 1955, in Tiffin, the youngest of the seven children to Paul J. and Madeline F. (Bolish) Dendinger.

Survivors include, her siblings, Charles J. (Sharon) Dendinger of Toledo and Florida, James P. (Miriam) Dendinger of Tiffin, Dr. Susan (Sherin Abdel-Meguid) of Exton, Pennsylvania, Thomas J. (Patricia) Dendinger of Auburn, Indiana, and Gerald E. (Jane) Dendinger of Toledo; nieces and nephews, Julie Murzyn, Laura Thompson, Ann McNabb all of Indiana, Michael Dendinger of San Diego, James A. Dendinger of Baltimore, Layla Dendinger-Blust and Veronica Dendinger–Cox, both of Chicago, Holly Delgado of Tampa, Nicholas Dendinger of Lexington, Kentucky, Andrew Dendinger of Columbus, Kelly Keene of Cincinnati, Leila Amer of New Jersey and Tarik Abdel-Meguid of Philadelphia; 23 grand nephews and nieces; special friends, Tony and Lynn Miller, Pat Holmer, Carol and Alvin Ringlein, Mrs. Agnes Zeiger, Mary Chambers, Carol Holsher, Diane Smith, Jim Phillips, and Bernard and Ruth Goshe.

She is preceded in death by her parents, and a brother, Rev. Robert Dendinger.

Mary Ann Attended the School of Opportunity from the age of six until she graduated in 1975.  She then became a highly productive worker in the Seneca Re-Ads workshop where she worked for 38 years.  For the last three years, Mary attended the program for senior citizens at the Opportunity Center.

She was a very sociable person, always optimistic, friendly and caring.  She was a people-oriented person, with a fantastic and extensive memory for people’s names, birthdays and anniversaries.  She shared in the joys and accomplishments of others, especially those of her nieces and nephews.  She also had a special knack for expressing genuine sympathy at times of tragedy, death and other misfortune.

Mary loved all types of music, especially band music.  She was a great fan of the Columbian band in the 1960’s, 70’s and 80’s.  She went to all the parades, in which the band participated, and all their winter concerts and half-time performances at home football games.  The band director, Mr. Lewis Hawk, graciously accepted Mary.  For many summers, she even attended band practices in the hot days of August.  Mary’s other hobbies included riding her bicycle, working on intricate jigsaw puzzles, and collecting post cards and baseball cards.  During her years at Autumnwood, she helped maintain a small flower and vegetable garden at the adjoining park.

Mary loved parties, especially those celebrating her birthday, not so much for the gifts she would receive, but more for the enjoyment of being in the company of so many relatives and friends.  Favorite gifts were sweatshirts with the logos of the colleges her nieces and nephews attended. At wedding receptions, she would be one of the first on the dance floor and one of the last to leave.

She traveled much.  Every summer, she visited her sister Sue and family in Philadelphia and spent a week with her brother Jerry and family in Toledo.  One of her favorite past times in Toledo was to attend Mud Hens baseball games.  She also enjoyed pool parties and picnics at her brother, Tom’s house in Indiana.  Her brother, Bob and her brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Miriam, hosted many parties and family gatherings in their homes.  Bob also took Mary on various trips.  One summer, Mary met Princess Diana while on vacation in Martha’s Vineyard.

Mary was a lifelong member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, where she was baptized and went to Mass with her parents. She attended CCD classes at St. Joseph’s Church for 20 years.

On Feb. 14, 2009, Mary fell and sustained devastating injuries from which she never fully recovered.  She had been a resident of Autumnwood since then.

Visitation with family and friends will be 2-6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016, at Traunero Funeral Home and Crematory, 214 S. Monroe Street, Tiffin, Ohio 44883 (419) 447-3113. A wake service will be at 3:30 p.m. at the funeral home.  Visitation will also be  2:45- 3:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 21, 2016.

Prayers will be said at 3:30 p.m. at the funeral home followed by the funeral Mass at 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 21, 2016, at St. Joseph Catholic Church officiated by the Rev. Joseph Szybka.  The rosary will be recited in church 20 minutes prior to the Mass.  Burial will follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church, the Seneca County Opportunity Center, or to the Autumnwood Care Center Activities Dept  in care of the funeral home.

For directions, to send condolences to the family, or to view the Celebration of Life Video, go to: www.traunerofuneralhome.com