This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: marcenath Surnames: Fetterolf, Hoffman, Johnson Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.newmexico.counties.donaana/4956/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Mary Ida Fetterolf entered this life on 10 March 1913 and quietly crossed into a new life on 21 November 2010. Known to her many friends at Golden Mesa Retirement Community as "Little Mary" (even though she herself hated any reference to her tiny stature), her diminutive size was the only thing small about her. At nearly 98 years old, she still had a childlike sense of wonder for all living things but especially for babies, both human and animal. She was fascinated by unusual stones and plants and, when she moved to Las Cruces, NM, in 2007, took special delight in watching clouds and their shadows play across the Organ Mountains. She was the last living child of William A. and Sarah Hoffman Johnson of Catawissa, PA, where Mary was born and lived for 95 years. Even though she was the oldest in the family, her brothers John and William, as well as her sisters Charlotte and Dorothy, all died before her. In 1938, she married Harold E. Fetterolf, who died in 1979 after sharing 41 years with her. Mary and Harold would have loved having a large family of their own, but God granted them only one child, Pat A. Jonker, and one grandson, David A. Getkin. Pat, David, and David's two children are all living in Las Cruces. Mary will also be missed by her son through marriage, Pat's husband Donald E. Jonker, and his daughter Dana in Ocala, FL, with her husband and two daughters. A talented artist who should have been a teacher, Mary created finger paints from starch and natural colorants before they could be purchased in stores and taught her daughter the letters of the alphabet by turning each one into a different face. High school students knew who could create the decorations for their dances and proms, and Mary's living room was often filled with life-size dancing cutouts and crepe-paper flowers. At the United Methodist Church in Catawissa, PA, she was known as a living library of Bible stories and could be counted on for Vacation Bible School each summer. Following cremation of the body, Mary's life and talents will be celebrated at St. Paul's Methodist Church in Las Cruces where her family has restored a stained glass window in her name. Although she loved flowers, Mary preferred that any remembrances become donations to St. Paul's, whose members so graciously welcomed and cared for her in the last years of her life. Services have been entusted to the care of La Paz - Graham's Funeral Home 555 West Amador, Las Cruces, NM 88005. To send condolences visit www.lapaz-grahams.com Published in Las Cruces Sun-News on November 24, 2010 Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.