Mary Lynn Fritsch

Fritsch, Mary LynnCOTTAGE GROVE - Mary Lynn ( McNeill ) Fritsch, age 51, of Cottage Grove, passed away on Thursday, August 20, 2009, at HospiceCare. Who was Mary Fritsch and what did she mean to us? Mary loved life. She danced through life with breathtaking beauty and joy. She had an insatiable hunger for day-to-day living. She gave herself fully to everything she did. Her passions were her family, her friends and her work. These were qualities she always possessed but it was her struggle with cancer for over five years that would define her. Cancer became her crucible. She was a woman who would not be defined by her disease. She was a woman whose spirit would not be broken; a woman whose daily courage and determination acted as a vehicle to bring out the best in all of those around her.Mary's individual actions, strengths and courage brought out the best in all of us. By design or chance, we are brought into this world and leave this world alone. However, the true measure of our lives should be how we interact and influence the community of beings with whom we live-the family, friends, and even strangers we touch on a daily basis. If we are ultimately judged by our individual actions and the influence we have on our fellow humans, then Mary's life should be considered a lesson plan for us all. Her constant example of courage gave us strength. Her determination to persevere touched people to the point that their compassion and overall humanity rose to the surface. Her ability to confront life and death daily, showed us how inconsequential our daily problems are. Her examples and passions helped us focus on the true essence of life. We are individuals whose true potential is realized through our interactions with the whole of human society. Mary\'s life gave daily meaning to words that are often talked about but rarely actualized-words like integrity, courage, perseverance and compassion. She gave definition to these words daily. Mary showed us these qualities every day, and by doing so, unleashed the capacity for good in the people around her. She was a window, a portal, into the goodness of our own soul; this was her true gift to us. She showed us how strong and compassionate we, as individuals, could be if we allow ourselves. She also demonstrated how the strength of these individual actions could serve to strengthen the community as a whole. In short, she brought out the goodness of our nature and, therefore, the goodness in us all.Mary will be greatly missed, but her death has not left a void in our lives. Instead, her courage and determination has filled an empty spot in our soul with hope and lifted our spirits. She would not have us despair over the shortness of her life but rather seize upon the passion and goodness she brought while she was with us. She provided us with examples of what we are capable of if we open ourselves up to life and to each other. Her existence should serve as a light to guide us down the path of our own journey through life. Her struggle and her refusal to submit is the legacy she leaves to us. She showed us that there is a reason or rational for our individual existence-that reason is each other."Requiescat In Pace"Love ya Babe.Mary is survived by her loving husband Andy, three daughters; Sara, Natasha and husband Graydon Lippitt, and Kaitlyn, her parents David and Ruth McNeill, and siblings Sue (Lane) Slotten, Peggy (Dan) Pustina, Julie (Steve) Baltzer, Scott (Sue) McNeill, Steve (Terry) McNeill, Tim McNeill, Tom (Kim) McNeill, Tricia (Bill) Kern, and Mike (Jeanne) McNeill. She thoroughly enjoyed all of her twenty-three nieces and nephews and three great-nephews. We would like to thank the literally hundreds of family, friends, doctors and strangers that helped Mary through her journey. With special thanks to Mary and Andy\'s employers George and Candy Gialamas and Mark Barnes. Without your compassion and understanding, we would not have realized the fullness of the last five years. Our thanks to all of the doctors and caregivers, but especially Dr. Walter Longo, Dawn Reininger, Dr. David Inwards and Dr. Timothy Fenske. Thank you to all of our immediate family, Sue and Tricia for your daily support and finally and especially to Tim. You were Mary's beacon of hope when the darkness and despair of her battle tried to overwhelm her. You were always there for her when she needed you the most. A memorial Mass will be held at SACRED HEARTS OF JESUS AND MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH, 221 Columbus St. Sun Prairie, at 10:30a.m. on Tuesday, August 25, 2009, with Monsignor Duane Moellenberndt presiding. Inurnment will be at Highland Memory Gardens in Cottage Grove. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Monday, August 24, 2009. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, 383 Main Ave 5th Floor, Norwalk, CT 06851.Gunderson EastFuneral & Cremation Centers5203 Monona Drive(608) 221-5420www.gundersonfh.com Memorials: In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, 383 Main Ave 5th Floor, Norwalk, CT 06851. Cemetery: Inurnment will be at Highland Memory Gardens in Cottage Grove. Visitation: Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Monday, August 24, 2009. Service: A memorial Mass will be held at SACRED HEARTS OF JESUS AND MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH, 221 Columbus St. Sun Prairie, at 10:30a.m. on Tuesday, August 25, 2009, with Monsignor Duane Moellenberndt presiding.