Share using:. Mary D. Oldenburg, faithful wife, devoted mother, fondly remembered aunt, thoughtful friend and cherished grandmother, went to be with God and her deceased loved ones, Wednesday, March 6, In her final days, Mary showed a pure, childlike faith in God and thanked Him.
She took pride in being a charter member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Rockford and was very grateful for the love and friendship its members showed her. She treasured her memories of growing up in her large, close-knit family in Woodbury, New Jersey and took quiet pride in having a keen intellect.
She had fond memories of her summers spent with family and friends at Ocean City, New Jersey and her trip to Mexico with the Quakers as a young woman. Mary was born in December 11, in Woodbury, New Jersey. As a young child, she developed a love of foreign languages and cultures. A gifted student, she finished high school at the age of 15 and went on to receive her Master's of Education and French teaching certificate from the University of Pennsylvania.
After graduation, she taught high school French and Spanish for several years in Paulsboro, New Jersey. Her favorite pastimes in recent years were watching news, reading the newspaper, keeping up with current events around the world, and following the Chicago Bears.
While she tended to 'hide her light under a bushel basket', according to one university professor, Mary believed in always standing up for her rights and those of others. She was sweet but 'tough'.
