Mary Marie Piel

Mary Piel died on June 13, 2023 at the Goerlich Center where she had lived for the past year.

Mary was a child of the Great Depression and World War II. She was a good student who originally dreamed of becoming a nurse, but this training was not financially possible for her. After high school she worked briefly in a bank and married Gerhardt (Gary) Piel in 1950. They enjoyed many happy years together until his death in 2016. Four children were born and she settled into her lifelong vocation of homemaker and mother. Until her middle years her life was hectic as she managed both her children’s lives and moves every few years because of Gary’s career advancement. She took special joy in the birth of their eight grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren. Later in life she worked as an accountant for a small business, the executive secretary for the FIrst Unitarian church in Toledo, and with Gary as a manager of several duplexes they owned. Over the years they also took in foreign exchange students from time to time.

Mary engaged in a number of volunteer activities consistent with her interest in health care, most notably Planned Parenthood, caring for newborn infants at a maternity ward, and service in a hospital gift shop. She was also active in a number of church sponsored outreach programs over the years.

Mary’s hobbies were diverse and gave her considerable satisfaction. A lifelong avid reader, she always had several books by her chair. She was an accomplished seamstress who sewed bridesmaid dresses and Easter ensembles, and couture clothing for dolls of various sizes. Her needlework skills were legendary, too. She loved classical music, and especially enjoyed concerts at the Toledo Art Museum. She was also a devoted fan of the Lady Rockets basketball team and went to many games at the University of Toledo. She attended church faithfully her whole life - most notably St. Mark Lutheran Church during her youth and later the Unitarian Church - and made many friends during her years there. Later in life her husband Gary and she enjoyed traveling together in the US and watching life from their backyard swing.

Many people will miss her smile that could light up a room. She was preceded in death by husband Gary and her daughter Diane Szczepaniak. She leaves behind her son Christopher Piel, daughters Ellen Cook (and son in law David), and Carolyn Boettner (and son in law Scott), eight grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren. She will be sorely missed.

Mary's funeral service will be held on Thursday, June 22, 2023, at 11 a.m. at Toledo Memorial Park Chapel of Peace, 6382 Monroe St., Sylvania, OH. Inurnment will follow. Flowers may be sent directly to the cemetery or to Walker Funeral Home by Thursday at 9 a.m.