Mary Alene Stern

Mary Stern, age 82, of Bristolville, Ohio was called to be with the Lord on Thursday Jan 14, 2010. She was surrounded by her children in her home when she entered peacefully into heaven. Mary has fought a courageous battle with an extended illness for the past 5 years. Mary was born to the late Wiley & Clara Pyles on Oct. 22, 1927 in Silver Hill, WV. She was raised in Silver Hill along with 14 brothers and sisters. She graduated from Cameron High School in Cameron, WV. Mary was employed by the Boliva Company in New York City for a few years prior to getting married and moving to Warren, Oh. She has been a resident of Bristolville for the past 57 years. Mary was married to Alton "Warren" Stern and together they had 4 children. Warren and Mary shared 61 years of their lives as husband and wife. She retired from Bristolville schools where she worked in the cafeteria for 20 years. She was a member of the Bristolville Church of the Brethren and served the church and her church family for the past 56 years. Those who have been blessed to be a part of Mary's life know that she was a woman of faith who was selfless, generous, devoted to her family and loyal beyond measure Mary loved to play scrabble, spend weekends back home in WV, listen to gospel music and thoroughly enjoyed her grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren! She was active in her church choir, ladies aid group, and quilting with the church ladies for many years. Mary had a great sense of humor and made a mean peanut butter pie. Until we are together again, she will be dearly missed by her devoted husband Warren: a son Alan(Chris) Stern of Bristolville: twin daughters Diane Stern of Cortland, Deborah(Larry) Perris of Bristolville, and Beverly (Greg) Davenport of Cortland: three sisters, twin Mae Thompson of Cuyahoga Falls, Gretta Alley of Cameron, WV; and Elveretta Duncan of Dade City , FL. Also, grandchildren Jeff, Doug and Josh Stern, Mark, David & Steven Harper, Kelly McGraw; Travis, Michael & Emily Perris, Allie, Brett & Brooke Davenport and her 20 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, seven brothers, three sisters and a great grandchild We are all very fortunate to have had Mary as the "matriarch" of our family. We will forever cherish her memory and we rejoice in knowing we will be with her again one day. Family and friends may call on Sunday Jan. 17th from 5-7 at Shafer-Winans Chapel in Cortland, OH and also one hour prior to the services to be held on Monday Jan. 18 to 11am at The Bristolville Church of the Brethren in Bristolville. Burial will be held on Tuesday at Sager Cemetery at 10am. The family requests material tributes be made in Mary's name to the NE Ohio ALS Chapter or The Bristolville Church of the Brethren building fund. Family and friends may view this obituary and send condolences at www.shaferwinansfuneralhome.com