1928
Mary Kay
2020
Mary Kay Hueber
April 14, 1928 — December 21, 2020
Mary Kathryn Hueber, 92, a resident of Iroquois Nursing Home in Jamesville, NY passed away peacefully on December 21, 2020. Born on April 14, 1928, in Syracuse, NY, she was the daughter of Francis S. Hueber (former president of Hueber-Breuer Construction Co.) and Mazie M. LaFontaine Hueber. Besides her parents, Mary Kay is predeceased by her brother, Donald F. Hueber, and her sister, Virginia Hueber Breuer. She was married to Robert Gregory Ditch from 1949 to 1981. Robert passed away in 1990. Always known to everyone as Mary Kay, if anyone was to call her "Mary," he or she was quick to learn her name was "Mary Kay."
A lifelong resident of Syracuse, Liverpool, and Baldwinsville, NY, Mary Kay was a graduate of Most Holy Rosary High School and received her Bachelor of Science from Syracuse University. With four young children, she returned to SU to get her Master's in Education. She was an avid fan of SU sports, primarily the Syracuse Orange basketball team. Her family learned to never call her during a game. Mary Kay taught elementary school for 31 years in Syracuse, Liverpool, and Baldwinsville, and she retired from Ray Middle School in Baldwinsville in 1991. She loved teaching and enjoyed running into former students in her later years. She was a past communicant of Most Holy Rosary, Holy Cross in Dewitt, Christ the King in Liverpool, and St. Augustine's Parish in Baldwinsville.
She was an avid golfer and an early member of Beaver Meadows Golf Club in Phoenix, NY in the 1960's. Mary Kay made numerous trips throughout Europe and the US with steadfast travel companions and enjoyed many trips with the Elderhostel (now Road Scholar). She was a keen member of the Traveler's Club in Baldwinsville for years. One of her most loved trips was taking her family on a Hawaiian cruise the Christmas of 2007; she said it was her 80th birthday present to herself.
In her retirement years, Mary Kay made a life changing trip to Americus, GA to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity. She was so excited when she met former President Jimmy Carter on that trip that upon returning home, she started giving her free time to Syracuse Habitat for Humanity as the volunteer coordinator and board member. For more than 8 years, she spent countless hours calling people to encourage them to volunteer their time as well. She said that if she had to live life over, she would have become a building contractor. Never one to stay idle, after leaving Habitat, she was the volunteer coordinator for the Baldwinsville Visitor Center at Lock 24 for several years.
Survived by her four children: Barbara Leitzke Burlingame (Rick) of Newark, DE; Robert Ditch (Gail Summerskill) of Charlotte, NC; Nancy Bronstein (Arthur) of Syracuse, NY; Michael Ditch of Castle Rock, CO; six grandsons and one granddaughter: John Leitzke (Laurie) and Andrew Leitzke (Amy), Collin Ditch (Jennifer), Coury Ditch, Adam Bronstein (Rachel) and Scott Bronstein, LaDena Fultz (Lee); six great-grandsons and two great-granddaughters: Tyler and Jacob Leitzke, J. Michael Jr, Scott and Jack Leitzke, Matthew Ditch, Emma Ditch and Aubrey Fultz; and one great-great grandson, Greyson Leitzke; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to express its sincere thanks to the wonderful staff members of Iroquois Nursing Home and Mary Kay's caregiver, Martha Bishop, for providing excellent care and support during her remaining years. Her family is extremely grateful to all.
During her last celebration with her family on her 90th birthday, April 14, 2018, Mary Kay's extended family, which included 22 members, celebrated her birthday at a joyous dinner. Mary Kay will be forever loved and missed by all who knew her.
Funeral Services: During these difficult times, there will be no calling hours. A funeral mass, both live and virtual, will be held at Holy Cross Church, 4112 E Genesee St, Dewitt NY 13214 on Wednesday, December 30th at 11:00 am. The Funeral Mass will be live streamed at www.facebook.com/burnsgarfield/live. or by following the following link https://vimeo.com/495248783/0d0ecbfbfe The Rite of Committal and Burial will be at St Mary's Cemetery in Dewitt, NY and will be private.
A memorial service and a celebration of life gathering for Mary Kay will be offered in the future once it is safe for people to travel and congregate, most likely in the Fall.
Contributions may be made to Syracuse Habitat for Humanity 308 Otisco St. Syracuse, NY 13204.
A lifelong resident of Syracuse, Liverpool, and Baldwinsville, NY, Mary Kay was a graduate of Most Holy Rosary High School and received her Bachelor of Science from Syracuse University. With four young children, she returned to SU to get her Master's in Education. She was an avid fan of SU sports, primarily the Syracuse Orange basketball team. Her family learned to never call her during a game. Mary Kay taught elementary school for 31 years in Syracuse, Liverpool, and Baldwinsville, and she retired from Ray Middle School in Baldwinsville in 1991. She loved teaching and enjoyed running into former students in her later years. She was a past communicant of Most Holy Rosary, Holy Cross in Dewitt, Christ the King in Liverpool, and St. Augustine's Parish in Baldwinsville.
She was an avid golfer and an early member of Beaver Meadows Golf Club in Phoenix, NY in the 1960's. Mary Kay made numerous trips throughout Europe and the US with steadfast travel companions and enjoyed many trips with the Elderhostel (now Road Scholar). She was a keen member of the Traveler's Club in Baldwinsville for years. One of her most loved trips was taking her family on a Hawaiian cruise the Christmas of 2007; she said it was her 80th birthday present to herself.
In her retirement years, Mary Kay made a life changing trip to Americus, GA to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity. She was so excited when she met former President Jimmy Carter on that trip that upon returning home, she started giving her free time to Syracuse Habitat for Humanity as the volunteer coordinator and board member. For more than 8 years, she spent countless hours calling people to encourage them to volunteer their time as well. She said that if she had to live life over, she would have become a building contractor. Never one to stay idle, after leaving Habitat, she was the volunteer coordinator for the Baldwinsville Visitor Center at Lock 24 for several years.
Survived by her four children: Barbara Leitzke Burlingame (Rick) of Newark, DE; Robert Ditch (Gail Summerskill) of Charlotte, NC; Nancy Bronstein (Arthur) of Syracuse, NY; Michael Ditch of Castle Rock, CO; six grandsons and one granddaughter: John Leitzke (Laurie) and Andrew Leitzke (Amy), Collin Ditch (Jennifer), Coury Ditch, Adam Bronstein (Rachel) and Scott Bronstein, LaDena Fultz (Lee); six great-grandsons and two great-granddaughters: Tyler and Jacob Leitzke, J. Michael Jr, Scott and Jack Leitzke, Matthew Ditch, Emma Ditch and Aubrey Fultz; and one great-great grandson, Greyson Leitzke; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to express its sincere thanks to the wonderful staff members of Iroquois Nursing Home and Mary Kay's caregiver, Martha Bishop, for providing excellent care and support during her remaining years. Her family is extremely grateful to all.
During her last celebration with her family on her 90th birthday, April 14, 2018, Mary Kay's extended family, which included 22 members, celebrated her birthday at a joyous dinner. Mary Kay will be forever loved and missed by all who knew her.
Funeral Services: During these difficult times, there will be no calling hours. A funeral mass, both live and virtual, will be held at Holy Cross Church, 4112 E Genesee St, Dewitt NY 13214 on Wednesday, December 30th at 11:00 am. The Funeral Mass will be live streamed at www.facebook.com/burnsgarfield/live. or by following the following link https://vimeo.com/495248783/0d0ecbfbfe The Rite of Committal and Burial will be at St Mary's Cemetery in Dewitt, NY and will be private.
A memorial service and a celebration of life gathering for Mary Kay will be offered in the future once it is safe for people to travel and congregate, most likely in the Fall.
Contributions may be made to Syracuse Habitat for Humanity 308 Otisco St. Syracuse, NY 13204.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mary Kay Hueber, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Mass of Christian Burial
Wednesday, December 30, 2020
Starts at 11:00 am (Eastern time)
Holy Cross Church
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