Mary Catherine (Garber) Fifer

Mary Catherine Fifer, 90, beloved mother, stepmother, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed away on January 29.  Born June 25, 1935, in Roanoke, Virginia, Mary Catherine’s life was a testament to love, humor, and faith. She was the second child of Orval Garber, an educator, farmer, and minister, and Mary Crumpacker Garber, a teacher and author. An avid reader and student, she attended Troutville High School, where she was a member of the basketball team and graduated second in her class. Mary Catherine majored in Journalism at Bridgewater College, Bridgewater, VA, where she met her husband-to-be C. Frederick (Freddie) Fifer III of Wyoming, DE. After graduating, they lived in East St. Louis, MO, and Alexandria, VA, before settling in Wyoming, DE. Mary Catherine taught English at Felton and Caesar Rodney High Schools, inspiring scores of students over the years, many of whom still sing her praises to this day as “the best teacher I ever had.” Her Southern lilt charmed everyone in earshot, a subtle trait that never faded. She was an active member of the Bethany Church of the Brethren and served multiple times as delegate at the national conference. She was a fierce advocate for adult literacy, and in her spare time taught English to numerous students from all walks of life. She was a consummate cook and hostess, and was devoted to her children, family, and friends. After Freddie’s untimely passing in 1995, she married F. Niel Postlethwait in 1998. Mary Catherine and Niel created an inspiring second act together after their respective tragic losses, and traveling the country and the world together, although she truly loved nothing more than being surrounded by her family at home.

Mary Catherine is survived by her children Mark and Susan, and their respective spouses Bess Fifer and Stephen Woods; her stepchildren Thomas Postlethwait (Vivian) and Linda Metheny (Bob); her “summer son” Louie Echevarria; her siblings Paul Garber (Anne) and Sarah Foltz and her sister-in-law Sally Garber; her grandchildren Daniel Metheny, Rebecca Metheny Mason, Niel Postlethwait, and Sam Postlethwait; and her great-grandchildren Maelee, Ollie, and Lilee Mason, Caleb and Luke Postlethwait, and Mason and Lane Postlethwait. She is preceded in death by husbands Freddie Fifer and F. Niel Postlethwait, and her brother John C. Garber. 

There will be a visitation on Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at Pippin Funeral Home, 119 W. Camden-Wyoming Avenue, Wyoming, Delaware from 6-8 pm.

A funeral service will be on Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at Wyoming United Methodist Church, 216 Wyoming Mill Road, Dover, Delaware  at 11:00 a.m. The funeral will be followed by a private burial at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Wyoming, DE. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in her memory to: Bethany Church of the Brethren, Farmington, DE; Wyoming United Methodist Church, Wyoming, DE; Dover Church of Christ, Dover, DE; St. John’s Lutheran Church, Dover DE; Delaware Hospice; The Fresh Air Fund; Heifer International; or ProLiteracy Worldwide.

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