Granny, Paige, and I on the Chicago streets!

Granny, Sheryl, Paige, and I in Chicago. This is at “The Bean”. Granny and Sheryl were featured in a news article based upon the wheelchair accessibility at this park!!

Granny, Sheryl, Paige, and I in Chicago at Navy Pier!

Ryan’s going away party (July 2011) when he was starting basic training. This is Ryan’s friend Drake giving some love to Granny haha

Ryan and Flat Granny on a trip to Seattle on the Light Rail

Granny being silly and meeting a fellow silly Target employee

Always tried to show granny a good time when she would visit. She always ended up showing us a good time instead! ❤️

Miss Mary, It was my absolute pleasure and honor to be with you the last few months. I knew from the first visit with you we connected. I loved all the stories you shared with me. Memories you shared with family and friends. Your sense of humor was absolutely amazing. We shared so many laughs. I truly enjoyed our time together. One thing was for certain about you. The love had for your family. It is undeniable.  It was a blassing that they surrounded you with so much love. You will always hold a special place in my heart.

By far one of the best moments of pure joy on Mary’s face was when I handed her the keys to her new Condo.  We had the best time hunting for a place where she could be herself and take care of her fur baby.  I will truly miss her😭😪xoxo. Such a fun loving and remarkable woman.

Sharing these pictures from Moms Service on July 10, 2024 at Boulder City Veterans Cemetery

I’m Paige, I’m one of Mary’s grandchildren. For most, having a grandmother means sharing generational traditions or baking in the kitchen. For me, it was much more than that. It was watching scary shows well past my bed time, staying up late because I couldn’t sleep alone and would end up falling asleep with her in her bed, it was learning to write with her after her stroke when I was 4. Granny wasn’t just my best friend, she was my ride or die, she knew every secret of mine and would always help get me out of the trouble she would help me get into. I’m sure many of you know she used to smoke, well growing up me and Sophia thought it would be funny to hide her pack of cigarettes one time and let me tell you, I have never seen her more upset nor had I seen her move so quickly. We ended up giving up where we hid them because we were too scared to keep them hidden. Or the time she fell asleep when she took Daphne and I to a scary movie. 
 For my entire life she was all I knew as a grandparent, she was always there and never missed any event I had from a dance recital, learning to drive, senior prom, graduation or my wedding day. I will miss her for the rest of my life but I am so lucky to have all of the memories I do that I will hold so close to my heart. I hope that wherever she is, she is having the time of her life and is waiting for all of us to join her up there one day. 
Until we meet again
Your paigey ❤️

Mary was a such special person and welcomed me as her neighbor from day one. I always enjoyed our visits and her humor. My thoughts and prayers are with her family during this difficult time.  She will be missed.

I came across this picture of Mom. She is in her early 60's in this picture and showing off her new haircut.

I will always remember the time that Granny “came with us” to Seattle! I have this “Granny on a stick” in my truck now. She’s always on our adventures!

Granny always loved having us over for a visit.  She was always a blast to be around. Very loving woman who will be greatly missed.

I am so very grateful that Wesley got to meet my Granny!

I’m glad that I was there to witness her first broken bone! She was such a trooper.

It has been almost a month since mom passed away. I miss her deeply but have solace knowing she is at peace. Today, as I write this, I believe that she is okay – that I will be okay. 
Mom left us on Thursday morning, June 6. I was with mom that last week. In caring for mom, I was up every 2 hours. I sat with her Wednesday night into Thursday morning. As she was resting in bed, I sat by her side, the shows that she liked to have on, watched us. I didn’t sleep that night and by morning I was very tired. Aunt Martha and Kelly (PCA) were with mom. After 730 medications, I needed just a little more rest. About 30 minutes later, I heard mom’s voice very clearly say “Shouldn’t you get up? Don’t you have things to do?” I replied “Yes, I do.”  At the time my mind registered the last word, I was called to mom’s side. She had gone. 
My second experience was this past Thursday. It was early morning, that hazy space just before waking. In this dream, I walked into a store, and much to my surprise, I seen Mom. I called her name and gave her a hug. I felt the warmth of this embrace. I asked how she got to the store, and in the way only she could say, she told me “I drove!”. (Mom hasn’t driven in almost a decade.) Next scene, we are in a different store, mom is carrying bags and excited about her finds. She says it is time to go. I ask if I can take her. She tells me she is fine. She can drive. Then she says, “I’ll see you later.” And drove off in a red Jetta. 
There is a unique connection, an unbreakable thread, between mother and child. Regardless of the complexities of the relationship, the woman who carried us in her womb, nurtured us, and loved us, will always be part of our essence. 
Mom did her best. She loved her children above all else.  I will hear her voice as I move through my days. She may visit again in my dreams, and she will reside in memories of a life well lived - a legacy measured not in dollars and cents, but in love. She will always be in my heart.

To the family and friends of Mary, I send my condolences to you. Mary was such a pleasure to work with in Physical Therapy, there was never a visit when she didn't try her best, and she ALWAYS had the best sense of humor, making me laugh the whole time. She will be missed dearly.

OBITUARY

Mary Catherine Hetzel

September 7, 1943 – June 6, 2024

Palm Eastern Mortuary & Cemetery

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