NORWICH – Mary Kruger, 87, of Norwich and formerly of Oxford, passed away Thursday, Sept. 15, 2011 at her home.
Mary was born in Brooklyn in June of 1924, the daughter of Joseph and Anna Lazzara Garite. She grew up in Brooklyn where she attended the local schools. On June 29, 1947 in Brooklyn she married Charles Kruger Sr. who passed away Sept. 30, 1981. Following her marriage she and her husband continued to make their home in Brooklyn until his retirement at which time they moved to Oxford in 1965. Soon after the death of her husband, Mary moved to Norwich where she continued to make her home.
Always on the go and devoted to her Catholic faith, Mary could often be seen walking to the daily 7 a.m. Mass at St. Bart’s and weekend Mass at St. Paul’s. Following the daily Mass she and several of her friends would go for coffee where they would converse and discuss many different topics. Mary was a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary 2782. She was a devoted bingo volunteer and would help with the weekly bingo games at the VFW as well as the bingo games at Peacock Manor. For 25 plus years, Mary also volunteered for the Oxford Lions Club Vision Screening.
A loving mother and grandmother, Mary is survived by her children Leo Kruger and his wife Denise of Bloomingburg, Anna Wright and her husband Mike of Norwich, her grandchildren Donna Kruger Jones, Robert Kruger, Thomas Kruger and his wife Angela, Kristen and Jennifer Wright, Donald Kruger and his wife Linda, Carol De Bock and husband Mark and Laurie Amato and her husband Sal. Also surviving are her special great grandchildren Kelly, Jason, Christina, Caitlynn, DJ, Matthew and Justin along with her special niece Floranne Sharka and daughter-in-law Amelia Kruger. Several other nieces and nephews survive.
Besides her husband Charles, Mary was predeceased by her children Evelyn, Charles and Doris Kruger. She was also predeceased by her sisters Rose Garite, Rosalie Garite, Sadie Rockefeller and her brothers Anthony, Vincent, Peter, Charles and Salvatore Garite.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Mary will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday from St. Paul’s Catholic Church. The Rev. Ralph Bove, pastor, will officiate. Interment will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery of Oxford.
The Rosary will be recited on Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. and members of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary will conduct a memorial service at 6:30 p.m.
Friends may call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Wednesday from 1-3 and 7-9 p.m.
Please consider memorial contributions to St. Paul’s Church, 30 Pleasant St., Norwich or to Hospice and Palliative Care of Chenango County, 21 Hayes St., Norwich, NY 13815.