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Mattick, Mary Elizabeth

Mary Elizabeth Mattick, age 85, peacefully passed away on Friday, July 06, 2012 at St. Joseph’s Residence in New London. Mary was born at her childhood home in New London on November 25, 1926, daughter of the late Benjamin and Doris Hartquist. She graduated from New London High School in 1944 and from Lawrence College, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, in 1948. She and her beloved husband of 64 years, Jay, were married on July 10, 1948. A lifelong resident of New London, Mary was very connected to both community and friends. For many years, she and her close kindergarten classmates would get together regularly for reunion lunches. Some would call her an adventurous eater for, as a girl, she and her sister Polley would ride their bicycles to Hatten Park, catch a few frogs, and have their legs for lunch. She enjoyed golfing and playing bridge with her many close friends. Mary and Jay cherished each other and their life together. The two were truly blessed to be long time sweethearts. Their love grew with the arrival of each of their three daughters and son. Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were always a great source of pride to her. Mary instilled in her children a love of the outdoors, the importance of caring for others, and a sense of curiosity for the wonders of the world. She and Jay enjoyed exploring the world, traveling around most of the United States, and taking special trips to Nova Scotia, Mexico, and to Europe, where she visited her father’s homeland of Sweden. After their children were grown, she and Jay took up canoeing, even going up to the Boundary Waters in northern Minnesota on one adventure. She loved the north woods of Wisconsin and spent many happy days on Archibald Lake. Ever the naturalist, Mary loved birding. Her favorite was one she often fed in her own backyard, the cardinal. She and Jay treasured the time spent together in daily devotions throughout their many years together. She was a lifelong member of the United Church of Christ in New London, and was active in the New London Women’s Club and in mentoring her own girls and others in Girl Scouts of America. She is survived by her husband, Jay; her four children, Christine (Randall) Olson, Karen (Jeffrey) Rugotska, Susan (Timothy) Attoe, and Paul Mattick; seven grandchildren: Brittany, Sarikka, Lars, Benjamin, Anders, Annika, and Holly, and three great-grandchildren, Alyson, Damien, and Paxton and her cousin and Goddaughter, Barbara Oxholm and niece, Polley Rauen. Mary was preceded in death by her sister, Polley Cosgrove and a niece, Mary Frances Benavente. Funeral services for Mary were held on Monday, July 9, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. at First Congregational United Church of Christ, New London with Rev. Greg Watling officiating. Visitation was held at the church on Monday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. Interment is in the Floral Hill Cemetery, New London. Online condolences can be sent at www.clinehansonfuneralhome.com. Memorials can be sent to The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Ave., 7th fl., New York, NY 10001 or go to http://www.alzfdn.org/ContributetoAFA/makeadonation.html. Special thanks to her physician of many years, Dr. Donn Fuhrmann, her kind caregivers, Karen Magolan and Carol Struensee, as well as the compassionate staffs at St. Joseph’s Residence, ThedaCare at Home, Heartland Hospice Services, and those at New London Family Medical Center.

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