Mary Frances (Waibel) Gauthier

Mrs. Mary Frances (Waibel) Gauthier, 73, of Grant, NY, passed away Friday, April 22, 2016, in Faxton-St. Luke's Hospital.

She was born in Syracuse on September 22, 1942, the daughter of the late William and Nellie Waibel. On October 17, 1964, she married Louis J. Gauthier in St. Daniel's Church, Syracuse. Mary trained as an X-ray technician in Saranac Lake and also St. Luke's Hospital. She worked as an x-ray tech at St. Joseph's Hospital in Syracuse. Mary also worked for the postal service as a rural letter carrier for 18 years. She later returned to MVCC where she received an Associates degree in Chemical Dependency Counseling. Mary worked for the Insight House for a short period of time. She later served as the Director of the Foothills Rural Community Ministry food pantry in Holland Patent and as a librarian at Prospect Public Library.

Mary enlisted in the United States Air Force. During her time in the Air Force, Mary played the trumpet in the Women's Air Force Band and was proud to have marched in President John F. Kennedy's Inauguration parade. After her discharge from the Air Force she enlisted in the Naval Reserves. At one time Mary was a member and later President of the women's auxiliary of the Adirondack American Legion Cold Brook Post #1118 and was a lifetime member of Unity Hall in Barneveld. Mary was also a member of St. Leo's Church in Holland Patent. She had a love of travel and with her husband Louis journeyed throughout Europe and Asia. She especially enjoyed traveling to Africa, which she did several times including trips to Egypt and South Africa.

Mary is survived by her beloved husband of 51 years, Louis, of Grant, NY; one daughter and son-in-law, Frances and Jerome Burnham of Holland Patent, NY; two sons and daughters-in-law, Louis L. and Jennifer Gauthier, of Philadelphia, PA and Christopher and April Gauthier of Grant, NY. She is also survived by her precious grandchildren who meant the world to her; Stephanie Burnham, Kyle Gauthier, Zachary Gauthier, Sarah Gauthier, Simon Burnham, Samantha Burnham, Rachael Gauthier and Christopher Gauthier; also one sister, Alice Bleich of Syracuse, NY. She is also survived by numerous brothers and sisters-in-law and many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her Mass of Christian burial on Tuesday at 10:30am at St. Leo's Church in Holland Patent. Following mass, interment will be in Assumption Cemetery, Syracuse.

Visiting hours will be held on Monday from 5-8pm at The Scala & Roefaro Funeral Home, 1122 Culver Ave, Utica.

Service

Tuesday, April 26 2016