Mary Rothermel
April 5, 1927 ~ October 11, 2016 (age 89) 89 Years OldShare using:
On October 11th, 2016, Mary Rothermel, 89 years old, peacefully passed away while surrounded by her loving family at Westminster Health Center in Dover, Delaware. Mary and her twin sister, Helen, were born to Michael and Mary Makovec in Czechoslovakia on April 5th, 1927. In July of 1931, the Makovecs immigrated to the United States via Ellis Island on the White Star ship, the Adriatic. Settling in Harrington, Delaware, Mary lived with her family until meeting her dashing, jitterbug partner and husband of 54 years, John Rothermel. An employee of DuPont, she was at one point featured on the cover of the company magazine.
Mary and John moved from Harrington and eventually settled in Milford, Delaware where they raised their five daughters. Like Joseph, Mary had a technicolor palette of talents. She had a passion for painting, cultivated her love of sewing, and enjoyed singing in the choir at St. Bernadette’s Church. She was an avid gardener, quilter, and baker. An artist at heart, Mary exhibited her paintings at The Dover Art League and was a published poet. Proud of her heritage, in 1987 Mary traveled alone behind the iron curtain to return to her native Czechoslovakia. She was profoundly spiritual and religion influenced the many fibers of her life. Mary cherished her friends. Her later years were enhanced by the community at The Frederica Senior Center.
Even once children are raised, a mother is always a mother. Mary adored and doted on her children, grandchildren, and great-grandson. She is survived by her five daughters, Bernadette, Barbara, Susie, Gina, and Teresa, seven grandchildren, Heather, April, Christopher, Jessica, Allyson, Alixe, and Alexandra, a great-grandson, John, and her treasured sister, Pauline Maloney. Mary is predeceased by her husband, John, twin sister, Helen, sister, Anna, and brother, Joseph.
To celebrate Mary’s life, family and friends are invited to the Pizzadilli Vineyard ,1671 Peach Basket Road, Felton on Saturday, October 15 from 12 to 4 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Mary’s name to The National Organization for Rare Disorders (donate@rarediseases.org) or St. Jude Medical Center (St. Jude Medical Center, P.O. Box 4138, Fullerton, California 92834). “And He will raise you up on eagle’s wings, bear you on the breath of dawn, make you to shine like the sun, and hold you in the palm of His hand. “ Condolences may be sent via: www.pippinfuneralhome.com.
