Mary Ann Boesel

Mary Ann Boesel, of Toledo, passed away at her home on Monday February 22, 2021. Mary Ann was the youngest of five children born on December 4, 1956 and raised in Holgate, Ohio to Lawrence and Lucille (Brown) Burgel. She was a woman of great humor, strong in her devotion to her Catholic faith, endlessly artistic, carrying deep love of her family and her dogs and most importantly, a boundless spirit to help others. Over the years, wherever she lived, she was volunteering, almost always in a role that helped children. Maximizing her amazing organizational abilities, her numerous accomplishments range from service on her daughter’s school boards to starting an art program at one of our parish schools, to service as a docent at the Toledo Museum of Art (Class 2004). Most recently, her talents and passion have benefitted the Christ Child Society of Toledo. As a member she helped with their layette program, theater vision, co-chairing the 2019 Celebrity Wait Night, spirituality, and leading an intrepid group of volunteers in reorganizing and reopening the library at Rosary Cathedral School. In 2007 she formed a group of TMA docents who donated monthly to either Iraqi children or the Wounded Warriors Fund. She also volunteered for Assistance Dogs of America. Mary Ann was a great supporter of The American Cancer Society having lost her mother and a brother to cancer. During her rare downtime, she loved spending time with Chris and Allison, playing games and cards, being with her family and friends, and drinking beer while eating peanut M&Ms. While grudgingly attending the Symphony with Chris, she would much rather be at an Eagles or Vince Gill concert. She loved the sound of the cicada’s on a warm August evening or smell of leaves burning in the fall, her favorite season. Her careers included secretarial, retail and teaching art. Mary Ann was fortunate to be able to travel as often as Chris’s job allowed. From regular weekend trips to visit friends in northern Michigan to several trips to Europe starting of all times, less than one month after the events of September 11th. , that certainly added a level of adventure to our first trip abroad. In 2010 she was lucky enough to have a friend include her on a trip to Rome with the Christ Child Society and then Bishop, Leonard Blair. She met wonderful people on that trip and that led to her becoming a member of the Christ Child Society. Several years ago, Mary Ann and Chris became members of Holy Rosary Cathedral parish where she immediately became involved helping plan parish picnics, serving on Pastoral Council greeting visitors and giving tours. From those tours grew the enthusiasm for yet another project: putting together a book about the history, art and architecture of our magnificent Cathedral. She, fellow parishioner Carol Schoen, and Father Jim Peiffer took on the long, frustrating and exciting (still unfinished, much to her frustration!) task of writing a book and booklets for the Cathedral (I promise Dear… the book will get done!). She is survived by her loving, compassionate husband of 40 years, Christopher Boesel; daughter, Allison; brothers, Dennis (Sandy) of Holgate and Philip (Jerri) of Columbus; sister, Kathy (Ken) Woeller of Toledo; Sister-in-law Karen Burgel, Chris’s dear cousin, Linda Wagner, and brother-in-law Alan Boesel of Alabama; 14 nieces and nephews; 20 great nieces and nephews and blessed by an amazing group of friends. Mary Ann was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Ronald Burgel and niece, Ashley Boesel. Visitation will be on Wednesday February 24, 2021 from 3 – 8:00PM. Comments and remembrances will be shared beginning at 7:00PM followed by Scripture and The Rosary. Mary Ann’s Funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral at 11:00 AM on Thursday, February 25th. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests tributes be made to The Toledo chapter of the Christ Child Society, or to Holy Rosary Cathedral Parish. In closing, borrowing from the late coach Jim Valvano, the pain and frustration that came from seeing cancer win over her body was greatly exceeded by our joy of seeing it NOT win over her love, spirit, humor, faith, and heart. It never stood a chance against this amazing woman!