Mary Beth Mayer

Mayer, Mary Beth MONONA–Mary Beth Mayer, age 72, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2014, at St. Mary’s Hospital. She was born on Oct. 27, 1942, in Shawano, the daughter of John and Leone (Brunner) Pecore. Mary Beth married Gary Mayer on June 27, 1970. She earned her BA from Alverno College and her MA in English and MS in Counseling and Guidance from the UW-Madison. Mary Beth taught high school English and retired from Monona Grove High School. Her faith was of great importance to her. She was a member of St. Bernard Catholic Church and volunteered her time for the prayer line, Luke House, the St. Mary’s Adult Day Care, and the BeFriender Ministry. Mary Beth was an avid reader and lifelong learner. She was a member of UW-Madison’s PLATO Senior Learning group and also belonged to Olbrich Botanical Gardens. She enjoyed traveling, playing bridge, walking, doing yoga and tai chi, going out to lunch with friends, and most of all, spending time with her family. Mary Beth is survived by her two children, Matthew (Lori) of Adell, Wis. and Sara of Madison; two grandchildren, Chesney and Jackson; a sister, Jacqueline Hutchinson of Glenview, Ill.; two brothers-in-law, Paul Kriescher of Shawano and Donald (Karen) Mayer of Wild Rose; a sister-in-law, Kay (Thomas) Mitchell of Clintonville; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and beloved friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Gary; two brothers, Dennis and Jeffrey; a sister, Patricia; her mother-in-law, Jeanette; a brother-in-law, George Hutchinson; and a sister-in-law, Lorraine Kriescher. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. BERNARD CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2450 Atwood Ave., Madison, at 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 9, 2015 with the Rev. Michael Radowicz presiding. Burial will be at Highland Memory Gardens. Visitation will be held at the church on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2015 from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. and also from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes or the BloodCenter of Wisconsin. The family wishes to extend our gratitude to the caring staff of St. Mary’s Hospital and offer a heartfelt thanks to our family and all the loving friends for their support. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608)221-5420