Mary Susan Orester (née Thompson)
March 20, 1950 - June 21, 2019
Mary Susan Orester (née Thompson), age 69, of Newark, DE passed away at Christiana Hospital from congestive heart failure on Friday, June 21, 2019.
Born in Ann Arbor, MI on March 20, 1950, she was a daughter of the late Franklin M. and Ruth F. (Gueiros) Thompson. Mary graduated from the West Virginia School for the Blind and recently attended her 50th class reunion. She worked as a secretary for various government organizations in Nebraska, West Virginia and Delaware.
Mary’s excitement for travel began when she lived in Brazil from 1950 until 1956. In her younger years, she swam for the YMCA of Elkins, WV. Mary was a member of the Lions Club for many years and an officer in Nebraska and Delaware. She was fluid and fluent in Braille and was a member and officer of the American Council for the Blind. She loved cruises, a total of 37, and travelled to Panama, Alaska, the British Isles, Hawaii, the Caribbean, Baja, Mediterranean and many other locations. In her spare time Mary enjoyed reading and playing bingo. She was an avid Pittsburgh sports fan, especially the Steelers.
In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her loving husband, William P. Orester; and brother, John Thompson. She is survived by her sisters, Ruth Chase (Mel) and Agnes Barkley (James); step-daughters, Barbara Kunz (Ed) and Gloria Rediger (Kevin); 3 step-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 9:30 am until 10 am on Saturday, June 29, 2019, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 121 West Park Place, Newark, DE, where a funeral service will begin at 10 am. Interment will follow in White Clay Creek Presbyterian Church Cemetery, 15 Polly Drummond Hill Rd, Newark, DE.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Mary’s memory to Pilot Dogs, Inc., 625 West Town Street, Columbus, OH 43215 or www.pilotdogs.org.
Charlene Raaker
I am going to miss her so much at the Pilot Dog conventions. She and I had special nicknames for each other based on the cities where we live and always got a laugh from people and some funny stares too. Rest In Peace, Mary Sue. Your suffering is over now. Love you
Dave and Sharon Kronk
Mary Susan was a dear friend and we considered her and Bill as family. They were the first who started cruising with us and she continue until last March 2018. She loved cruising so much that she collected every ship that she sailed on. She will be missed by all and will also hold a special place in out heart.
Harding family from Pittsburgh
We all lost a good friend this weekend, Mary Sue. Sandy and Mary Susan attended high school together in West Virginia, where they were two of the best athletes in running and swimming, according to them of course. Dave met Mary Sue when we attended her marriage to Bill in the 1980s. From the beginning a friendship of joking and kidding with each other began. Our son Steve and Mary Sue shared their love of Pittsburgh sports teams, the Pirates, Steelers, and Penguins. Steve was amazed at some lady from West Virginia knew as much about our stars as did he. Our daughter-in-law, Kim entered the mix and we enjoyed many visits for long weekends going to games, restaurants, and much more. When Mary Sue would say to me I will be back to see you soon, my response would always be, “we won’t be home that weekend”!
All of us know how strong a personality Mary Sue had; a zest for life and fun with friends and family. This past year was difficult for her, and yet she overcame severe medical challenges enabling her to attend her 50th alumni reunion, and visit friends in Pittsburgh, Illinois, and Ohio. Special to us as an extended family, was her opportunity to meet our granddaughter, Athene, who is just 12 weeks old. She gave this little baby a big, Aunt Mary hug.
Sandy says it best. She will always remember Mary Sue as a loyal friend, someone who did not back down from life’s challenges but instead embraced the future. We have all learned lessons of strength and humility from her life example. We will miss her quick wit, but will remember all of the great times we shared together. We are all better people for being part of Mary Susan’s life.
Sandy, Dave, Kim and Steve, and especially Attie.
Carol Bacorn McGhee and Frank McGhee
We have been classmates and friends of Mary Susan for over 50 years. We will miss her. It was so good to spend time with her at our reunion. May she rest in eternal peace. our prayers and sympathy are extended to her family.
Linda Wingate
She was more than just a friend, she was special. I will miss her every day. You gave me many wonderful memories. Enjoy seeing all of Gods beauty in their full glorious colors, my friend. You will live on in our hearts! Love you!