Mary Calkins
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Mary (Braxmeier) Calkins, 99, passed away after a long life and a short illness on
Monday, May 9, 2022 at The Hudson Grande in Hudson, Ohio. She was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 14, 1922 to the late John A. and Marie (McConaghy) Braxmeier,
Mary spent her childhood and the majority of her adult life in southern New Jersey. After graduating from Millville High School, she returned to Philadelphia to attend Pierce Business School, and gained employment in the Medical Records Department in Lankenau Hospital, Philadelphia. During WWll she married Ross P. Calkins and began a family. As a parent, she served as President of the Port Elizabeth Grade School PTA, and then as President of the Millville High School PTA. She attended college to qualify herself as a grade school substitute teacher. A few years later she returned to her career as a Medical Secretary, first in the Medical Records Department in Millville Hospital, and then as medical secretary to the surgeon Alfred O. Davies, in Millville, New Jersey. She was a faithful member of the Port Elizabeth United Methodist Church and held credentials as a Lay Speaker, providing her skills where needed. After her retirement she turned her energies to volunteer work for the local Office on Aging. As a Hospice volunteer she participated in fund-raising activities, and lead sessions in Bereavement Counseling. In recent years she moved to Ohio to be near her family. She was a passionate gardener and an avid reader.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Ross P. Calkins, and her sisters Betty and Catherine. She leaves her daughters, Sharron Calkins and Connie Glennon-Hall (Kenwood Hall); her grandchildren, Brian Glennon, Jill Glennon (Adam Dale), Keith Hall (Kelly), Kevin Hall, and Jeff Hall; her great-grandchildren, Katie Dale and Kiera Myles; and her sister Theresa Capaldi.
Visitation will be Tuesday, May 17, 2022, from 1:00-2:00PM at Bissler and Sons
Funeral Home, 628 W. Main St., Kent, Ohio. Funeral Services will follow at 2:00PM at the funeral home with burial at Standing Rock Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made in her name, in lieu of flowers, to Port Elizabeth United Methodist Church, 142 Port Elizabeth-Cumberland Road, Millville, New Jersey 08332.
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