Mary M. Westrich

Mary Margaret Westrich, 66, of Sturtevant, Wisconsin, died at her home Sunday, May 3, 2009. Mary was born July 5, 1942, in Racine, to George and Ruth Mildred (Lawrence) Westrich. She was a graduate of St. Catherine’s High School, Class of 1960.

Mary began a career in the banking industry shortly after graduation where she served for over 40 years. She started with First National Bank of Racine, which became Marine Bank and later Bank One. She held many positions as an Assistant Vice President, Bookkeeping Supervisor, Chief Quality Officer, and Customer Relations Officer. She also coordinated the Senior Champs Program and took great pride in caring for her customers as a Personal Banker.

Always wanting to help others, Mary found the time to chair and sit on various boards, including St. Catherine’s High School, St Monica's Senior Citizen Home, the local Women's Resource Center, Salvation Army, Family Service of Racine, Crime Stoppers, Catholic Junior League, and the Wisconsin Council of Catholic Women.

Her true spirit was drawn into her Catholic Faith where she became involved with the Dominican Sisters of the Siena Center in 1985 and continued her Associate affiliation until her passing. She had a lifelong devotion to Jesus.

One of Mary’s greatest joys and a true talent was telling a story. She has entertained her family, friends, nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and just about anyone who would listen with stories that mesmerized her audience. Those stories will continue to be retold in her honor for years. Her love of storytelling was shared during the Christmas Season when she portrayed Mrs. Claus at the bank and for the Catholic Junior League’s annual Christmas party.

Mary is survived by her three big brothers, Tom (Sharon) of The Villages, FL, and their three children, Greg (Ann), Geoff (Andrea), and Melanie (Todd) Huff; Jim (Elizabeth) of Algoma, WI, and their four children, Lizanne (Kevin) Armstrong, Jim (Tricia Spellman), Todd (Carole) and Georganne (Kris) Scherer; and George (Karen) of Racine, and their two children, Mark (Michelle) and John; as well as other relatives and countless friends. Her ten grand-nephews and six grand-nieces were always close by for a new story.

In addition to her parents, Mary was also preceded in death by a sister, Nancy; nephew, Timothy S. Westrich; and grand-nephew Andrew Westrich, who were in her daily thoughts and prayers.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Siena Center Chapel, 5635 Erie Street, at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 8, 2009. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Hwy 32. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at Siena Center Chapel on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until time of Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to any of the following: Timothy Westrich Memorial Fund, Timothy Westrich Memorial Scholarship Fund; attn. Scott Cook, 2122 22nd Street, Kenosha, WI 53140, the Siena Center, and St. Catherine’s High School.

Mary will always be remembered for the way in which she treated others. She was generous and giving with family, friends and strangers. She was kind and thoughtful to everyone around her, and had a tremendous enthusiasm for life. She will be terribly missed each and every day by her family and the countless friends she made throughout her life.

Her family would like to thank her strong support system of close friends who were like family. The hours of time spent with her and dedication to keeping her day-to-day life together will not be forgotten and is truly appreciated.

MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine (262) 634-7888