Mary Elizabeth Bergum

Mary Beth was born on March 18, 1985 in Westminster, Maryland; the second of three children to Laurie and Michael O’Banion. In time, she herself would become a devoted mother to one daughter and three sons whom she loved with all her heart.

With great fortitude, Mary Beth recently started her second arc in life earning her associates degree to become a registered Nurse. During the pandemic, she worked on the frontline taking care of elderly patients while obtaining her degree to become a healthcare professional - all while raising her four children with absolute grace. She loved her job at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center and was so proud to have reached her dream of becoming a nurse, showing similar devotion to her patients as she did to her own children. She was determined to further her education and had nearly completed her bachelors degree to become an RN/BSN at the time of her death. She inspired all of those who knew her with her perseverance.

Mary Beth was an exceptional athlete throughout her life, playing soccer, softball, and basketball. She graduated from Westminster High School in 2003 where she was a star soccer and State Champion softball player. Recently, she began playing Gaelic football with the Buffalo Fenians which brought her much joy. While she was a dedicated mother and healthcare professional, this new group was the foundation of a loving support network that she appreciated so very much. Mary Beth will always be a champion in our hearts and minds.

Above all else, Mary Beth loved her children. A generous, devoted, and tenaciously loving mother, she worked so hard to be the best she could be for them. Her children were always her top priority, and she based every single decision in her life on what she thought would be best for them.

Mary Beth was selfless, helpful, nurturing, compassionate, and funny, and her demeanor put anyone in her company at ease. She was loved by all who truly knew her. And she loved in return.

Mary Beth was preceded in death by her mother, Laurie O’Banion, in 2017. She is survived by her four children: Bailey Elisabeth, Peter Nicholas, Casey Michael, and Elijah Robert. She is also survived by her father, Michael O’Banion, step mother, Sheila Finnegan (Higdon) O’Banion, grandparents Robert and Mindy Stafford, sister Kimberly O’Banion, and brother Daniel O’Banion and his wife Alison O’Banion. She is survived by her Aunt Jeannie Small, Cousin Casie Hall, Aunt Marcy Cascone, and Uncle Stuart Licker. She leaves behind nieces and nephews as well: Conor and Claire O’Banion and Nava and Oriya Abotbul; and, step-siblings, Julia Sibley, Amanda Smith, Rebecca Higdon and Robert Higdon.

With the expressed wishes of her children there will be a visitation on Monday October 17th from 2 – 8PM at the Dengler, Roberts, Perna Funeral Home 8630 Transit Road. A service will be held at the Eastern Hills Church 8445 Greiner Rd, Williamsville, NY on Tuesday October 18th at 10AM.

An additional service for Mary Beth will be held in her hometown of Westminster, MD on November 19, 2022 in the First Presbyterian Church of Westminster.

To make an online donation for the children please visit the Eastern Hills Church at

ehwc.org/bergum .

Checks with "Bergum" marked in the memo line also can be mailed to the church at 8445 Greiner Road, Williamsville, NY 14221. There is also a community a Go Fund Me page to raise money for the children. The GoFundMe can be found at

https://gofund.me/3a7e499d .