"Dear Gerard, Fran, Terri, Erica, Jen and Ken, I have so many happy memories of times with you and with your mother Mary. We all share in your loss and yet the memories are sweet and enduring. All the dinners, all the visits, all the picnics, all the food and the many times we all just sat and talked. Mother Mary was always with us, interested in us and caring about us. She was a mother for us all. I will miss her wise counsel, her positive can-do spirit and her deep faith. Mary now rest in the arms a loving and merciful Lord. She is in a place that God has chosen specifically for her, a place of peace and comfort. He is the Good Shepherd, He leads us through the darkness into the light of His eternal kingdom. Mary now is resting in that light with your father Fran. May the light of God's grace shine upon you and your family and bless you all abundantly."
In loving memory of
Mary Ann Gutberlet
April 19, 1929 - July 25, 2022
Peacefully on Monday, July 25th while sitting in the sun, Mary Ann was reunited with her husband Francis. Also, predeceased by her parents, Lucia & Carlo Testa; four sisters & four brothers. She is survived by her three children, who made up the entirety of her world, Gerard (Erica) Gutberlet, Theresa (Ken) Cubiotti, and Francis (Jenifer) Gutberlet. Besides her children, she is survived by her two grandsons, Nicholas Gutberlet and Joseph Gutberlet, whom she cherished deeply. Mary Ann is also survived by her sister Grace Fallone, sisters-in-law Mary Jean Gutberlet and Nancy Gutberlet, brother Anthony Testa, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and countless friends.
Mary Ann was the 5th daughter out of 11 children born to Lucia and Carlo Testa. She was a self-taught skilled seamstress for her family and the Catholic diocese. As a lifelong member of Holy Ghost she began the Christmas tradition of the Glimmers of Love. She chaired many parish summer festivals, organized the playground build and sang in the choir. She was a wonderful baker and made and shared hundreds of cookies for all occasions.
Mary Ann's life story will be shared during visitation, 4:00-8:00 pm on Thursday, July 28th. Her Funeral Mass will be held the following day 11 a.m. at the Parish of the Holy Family, 4100 Lyell Road. Interment in Holy Ghost Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations toward the Michael J. Fox Foundation, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014.
Tributes
"Gerard, Francis & Teresa, I am so sorry for this crushing loss. I thought of you the other day Mary, I was outside watching the birds and thought of the time we sat outside together watching the nest that hung right on the awning..while you joked about having a better tan than me. This is not what I had hoped to see when I went in search of how you were doing. The friendship we had was special. From the first day you stepped into the building. I feel like you were an angel of sorts, sent just to teach me a few lessons, give me some solid advice on things and help me really see just how beautiful the world is. It?s funny that in that moment while I sat there watching the birds, taking it all in, I thought of you... Thank you for the laughs, the stern talking to?s, and your unwavering support through nursing school? Rest easy, Beauty. I?ll see you on the other side. Your friend Sam."
"Mary was such a dear friend. I served on many committees with her at Holy Ghost and worked closely with her at the festival along with building the famous playground. Mary was my favorite mentor. I learned so much from this dear woman. She shared many recipes with me. Mary had several meetings at her home and always served homemade cookies and goodies! Mary was the best! I am sure Mary is delighted to be joining her Fran, dancing in Heaven! Goodbye till we meet again."
"Mary, I'm going to miss you, you were truly one of a kind and you will forever be in my heart ? thank you for allowing me to take care of you and making you laugh from time to time. Cottage 300 will never be the same without you "
"Mama is and the Family will always be apart of my Family. The moment that Mama stepped into Cottage 300 we made an connection that was so heart felt. When ever she needed anything that felt no one else could she called on me to take of it personally and she made that Family knew that I was on it and to remind me if I forgot to take care of it. To the Family MAMA will always be there for all of you in spirit, she's going to tap you on the should for the good things and send you kind reminder for the bad things. You all will always be apart my life and I Love ?? you."