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- (Research):Cressman-. Mary Shantz, 86, Waterloo, Ont., died Dec. 11. Spouse: Horace Cressman. Parents: Simeon and Celina Shantz. Children: Elaine Weber, Mark, Brenda Weber, Mary Jane Guerin; 12 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren. Funeral: Dec. 15 at Breslau (Ont.) Mennonite Church.
CRESSMAN, Mary Cathrine (nee Shantz) - Peacefully, while surrounded by her loving family, at Fairview Mennonite Home, on Thursday, December 11, 2003, in her 87th year. Beloved wife of Horace Cressman. Loving mother of Elaine and her husband John Weber of Petersburg, Mark Cressman and his wife Simone Peta of Waterloo, Brenda and her husband Clare Snider of Elmira, and Mary Jane and her husband Victor Guerin of Toronto. Proud and loving grandmother of Emily Weber, Jill Weber-Friesen and her husband Curwin, Celine, Barrett, Ashley, Chanel, and Sauve Cressman, Julie and her husband Anton Heimpel, Maureen Snider, Matthew, Rachel, and Rebecca Guerin. Mary is also survived by her sisters, Ferne and her husband Merle Yoder of California, and Audrey May of Kitchener. Predeceased by her sisters, Irene and her husband Orton Koch, Edna and her husband Harold Shenk and brothers-in-law, John Feicht and Jack May. Mary was a longtime, active member of Breslau Mennonite Church where she was involved with the WMSC and other programs of the church. Friends are invited to share their memories of Mary with her family for memorial visitation at Breslau Mennonite Church on Sunday from 3-5 and 7-9 pm. The memorial service to celebrate Mary's life and faith will be held at Breslau Mennonite Church on Monday, December 15, 2003 at 11 a.m. with Pastor Darrel Toews presiding. Cremation has taken place. A private interment in the church cemetery will precede the memorial service. Following the service, friends are invited to join the family in the church fellowship hall for refreshments and a time to visit. In Mary's memory, donations may be made to the Mennonite Central Committee or Fairview Mennonite Home and can be arranged through the Edward R. Good Funeral Home, 171 King Street South in Waterloo.
Mary Cathrine Cressman
Mary was born 86 years ago, the second daughter of Simeon and Celina Shantz. She grew up on a farm in the Haysville area (southeast of New Hamburg) with her four sisters. She enjoyed her time at elementary school and would have liked to continue on to high school but the demands of farm life called and she willingly helped with tasks at home
Mary met her husband, Horace, while attending Winter Bible School in Kitchener. They were married in a double wedding ceremony with her sister, Irene, and Orton Koch on September 6, 1939. Following an extensive honeymoon to Kansas, the couple returned to work for Horace's father, Alson, on the farm and in the house. Later they purchased the farm just outside of Bridgeport and there raised their four children - Elaine Weber, Mark Cressman, Brenda Snider and Mary Jane Guerin. The family now includes 12 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.
Mary's life was dedicated to her family and church. As a deacon's wife, she willingly assisted Horace in fulfilling his duties. She attended two services on Sunday, Wednesday evening services, Sewing Circle, committee meetings and taught Sunday School. Sundays were particularly busy days as the dairy farm chores needed to be done, the children were required to look and act their best, and Mary prepared to host any church vistors who needed a place to go for lunch.
Mary lovingly and energetically cared for her family. She gardened, canned, sewed, quilted, crocheted and cooked. She was a gracious hostess who welcomed extended family, friends, and visitors into her home.
Our family has been blessed by our mother's love, commitment and example.
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