Mary Baumgartner, 59, Enjoyed swimming, walking, and flower gardening
Mary Baumgartner (nee Ferrini), age 59, died Monday January 20, 2003 at her Sheffield Township home while under the care of the Hospice of the Western Reserve following an illness of 26 months. Originally diagnosed with ovarian cancer in November of 2000, she was only given four to eight weeks life expectancy. Through aggressive chemotherapy treatments, which reduced the size of her tumors, she was able to undergo a major surgical operation in April of 2001 subsequently prolonging her life.
She was born in Jasper, Indiana on December 3, 1943. Her family moved to greater Cleveland in 1945. She attended Parma Senior High School and graduated with the class of 1962. Following her commencement, she completed a one-year secretarial course at the former Dyke College of Cleveland (now known as David Myers).
She came to Lorain County in the early 1970's. She embarked on a 22-year career at Lorain County Community College in 1978. She served as a secretary in the athletic department from 1978-1983. Prior to the college discontinuing its varsity athletics programs, Mary was responsible for booking advance team reservations for the Commodores' road trips in basketball, soccer, wrestling, and cross country. From 1983-to 2000 she served as a circulation desk night supervisor in the campus library. Past students always remembered her for her helpful and cheerful disposition. She retired from the college in 2002.
Mrs. Baumgartner enjoyed swimming, walking, and flower gardening. Additional interests included attending first-run movies and hosting her step-grandchildren.
She was a member of the Clearview High School Athletic Booster club, the Clearview Educational Foundation and the outdoor swimming club of the Riveredge Racquet club. She was also a member of the EMH Health and Fitness Center in Avon where she enjoyed indoor swimming.
Survivors include her companion of 17 years and husband of six: Paul Baumgartner, Sr. (retired Cleveland Plain Dealer sports columnist), stepsons: Paul Baumgartner, Jr., residing in Amherst, Mark Baumgartner of Oviedo, Florida, and John Baumgartner of Santa Monica, California, 5 step grandchildren, her father: Hugo Ferrini and his wife: Alida residing in Elyria, and a brother: Larry and his wife Sally residing in Solon. She was preceded in death by her mother: Alberta (nee Braun) in 1978.
Visitation will be Thursday January 23, 2003 from 4-8 pm in the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel, 3224 Broadway Ave., Lorain. Funeral services will be Friday at 11:00 am in the funeral chapel with the Rev. Dr. Linwood H. Chamberlain, Jr. co-pastor of First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lorain officiating. Burial will follow in Ridge Hill Memorial park, Amherst Township.
The family suggests memorial contributions n her memory to either the American Cancer Society, 43099 North Ridge Road, Elyria, Ohio 44035-1051, or to the charity of the donor's choice.