Mary J. (Marrone) Kleinguenther

Mary J. Kleinguenther, age 86, of Wilmington, DE, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 30, 2018, surrounded by her loving family.

Born in Philadelphia, PA, Mary lost her mother, Jennie, at a young age and was raised by the Sisters at the Mother Cabrini home in Philadelphia. She had a special relationship with Mary and Fred DeRitis, of Philadelphia, who welcomed her into their life in her later youth and loved her like family.

Family was the center of Mary’s world. She was devoted to her late husband, Paul Kleinguenther, and looked forward to being reunited with him again. She never missed an opportunity to be with her family, and loved using skype to see her long distance loved ones while she talked to them. She had a youthful spirit and a sense of child like wonder about the world that she never lost. She will be remembered for her infectious laugh and her wonderful sense of humor.

She loved bowling with her husband and family and was a member of the St. John the Beloved Bowling League. Mary was a volunteer at the Richardson Park CAP thrift store for several years. In her leisure time, Mary could be found watching her favorite soap operas. She had a treasured collection of angels, and she was devoted to Saint Frances “Mother” Cabrini.

Mary was predeceased by her husband, Paul D. Kleinguenther; her parents and her two brothers. She is survived by her son, Paul D. Kleinguenther, Jr.; her daughters, Donna M. Buckland and her husband, John, Joanne Dougherty and her husband, Dennis, and Christine Stracka and her husband, Gary; her grandchildren, Angi Turner, Keli Carr, Kyle Buckland and his wife, Jennifer, and Daniel Stracka; her three great grandchildren; as well as her special friend, Rhonda Ison.

Family and friends may visit from 11 AM to 12 Noon on Thursday, January 10 at Doherty Funeral Home, 3200 Limestone Rd., Wilmington, DE 19808, where a funeral service will begin at 12 Noon. Interment will follow at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Bear.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

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