Mother of Maria Hunter Denning ’83 & Nancy Hunter Bauer ’79 passed away

HUNTER

Mary Patricia (Sutter)


Mary Patricia (Sutter) Hunter, 88, died Friday, February 14, 2014, at Elizabeth Scott Community, her home for the last eight years. A life-long Toledoan, Mary was born April 25, 1925, to Frank and Jane (Myers) Sutter, the oldest and last surviving of their four children. 

She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Ray, in 2009; son, John in 2012, and daughter, Grace in 2013. Her brothers, Jim and Jude; sister, Kathleen McAvoy; grandsons, Daniel and Ryan; son-in-law, Marty Dumas, and God-daughter, Marcia McAvoy Wilks, also predeceased her.

Mary is survived by her children, Phil (Sue), Chris (Mary), Marty (Jane), Liz Dumas, Annette (Dennis) Lee, Tom (Kim), Kevin (Kathy), Nancy (Larry) Bauer, Paul (Pam), Donna Hunter Hall, and Maria ‘Beanie’ (Jeff) Denning. Also surviving are daughter-in-law, Carol Hunter; 52 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

Mary was proud to be a graduate of Central Catholic High School and salutatorian of the class of 1943. She earned a full scholarship to St. Francis College in Joliet, IL where she studied for two years. During summers, she drove a taxicab in Toledo to earn spending money. Mary returned permanently to Toledo in 1945 to await Ray’s homecoming after serving more than three years in WWII. They married on August 25, 1945, just days after his return.

Mary was a good seamstress, making many of her own and sister, Katie’s clothes. She loved to dance and ice skate. An aspiring pianist, she also loved music and worked hard to provide lessons for all of her children. She was happy to support and applaud the many family singers and thespians, who continue to multiply. Mary was above all an extraordinary mother, homemaker, and cook. 

A woman of great faith and discipline, Mary was confident she knew God’s purpose for her life. She had a very personal and deep commitment to the poor and was active in the St. Vincent de Paul Society throughout her life. Mary was a serious and studious person who relished order. But Ray, her companion and partner on this journey, was her constant encouragement. He provided a lovely counterpoint and together they gracefully navigated the vicissitudes of life.

God in His mercy and goodness, saw fit to call Mary home on St. Valentine’s Day, to unite her with her one true earthly love at the heavenly banquet. The victory is hers!

Friends may visit at the Coyle Funeral Home, 1770 South Reynolds Rd. on Wednesday, February 19, 2014, from 2-8 p.m. where the Rosary will be prayed at 7 p.m. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, February 20, 2014, at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick of Heatherdowns Church, 4201 Heatherdowns Blvd., Toledo, OH. Mary’s family expresses heartfelt thanks to the Elizabeth Scott Community for their loving attention to Mary in her last years. Memorials in her honor may be sent to St. Patrick of Heatherdowns Parish or the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Please view and sign our online guest registry at 

CoyleFuneralHome.com

Published in Toledo Blade on Feb. 18, 2014