Mary Y. Warner, age 98, of Xenia, passed peacefully away on Thursday, May 26 at home, surrounded by loved ones.

Born Violet Tobey in Pike, New York in 1924, she was one of seven children. When she was three years of age, due to family difficulties, the three youngest siblings were placed in the NYC Children's home.  She was soon adopted by Oscar and Elizabeth Gilcreest of Swarthmore, PA, who renamed her Mary Yates.  She grew up in a loving family with her adopted brother, David.  Years later, when her adoptive parents passed, Mary located the Tobeys, developed long lost relationships, and thereafter celebrated yearly family reunions in New York.

Attending Swarthmore public schools, Mary was active in sports and several clubs, including field hockey, drama, and art. She attended Stephens College in Missouri and then moved to the University of Pennsylvania where she graduated majoring in Occupational Therapy.  When "studying" at the campus library she met a young medical student named R. David Warner.  They fell in love and married on August 31st, 1946 in Swarthmore, PA.

They began life together in Philadelphia, then moved to Cincinnati, then Lima, later Fort Chaffee, AR, before finally settling in Xenia with three children in tow.  Their fourth child was born shortly thereafter. Mary was a tremendous support to her husband (affectionately known as Dr. Red Socks). From patients calling through the night, to sometimes receiving payment in the form of live chickens, eggs, and vegetables she handled it all with grace and often humor. For the times, she was the quintessential physician's wife.

Becoming active in the Xenia community which they so loved, she was celebrated with awards for her work with the YMCA and also honored with the Maggie Award for excellence in the community.   Mary was active with the Greene Memorial Hospital League, the Xenia Food Pantry, and tutoring and services within the Xenia School system.  Brownies, Cub Scouts, Indian Guides, chaperoning school choir trips … the list goes on. Mary loved the Woman's Club so much.  This is the same club on which Helen Hoover Santmyer's famous book " . . . And the Ladies of the Club" is loosely based.  The real club served no coffee, tea, or sweets, but was instead a serious book club with no hosting costs  involved.

A born actress, she enjoyed performing in local theater in Xenia and also volunteered in many productions by the United Methodist Church and the Woman's Club. Mary enjoyed her painting group, and watercolors were her favorite medium. Her paintings hang in many homes. She enjoyed creating works for GMH fundraising auctions and even had several art shows in Xenia with her friends. Excellent skiers, even into their 70s, Mary and David loved the beautiful runs on the slopes in Colorado.  Even two broken legs did not deter her passion for the sport.

Mary loved people, old and young, welcomed many into her home, cried and laughed through traumas and good times, and shared anything she had to give. She was loved upside down and sideways. Married for 68 years, hers was a life well and deeply lived.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents Elizabeth Yates Gilcreest and Oscar Gilcreest, brother David Gilcreest, beloved granddaughter Stevie Warner, and dear husband David Warner. She is survived by her four children, Rodney (Melissa), Lynn (Mike DeCloedt), Andrew (Joy), Mark (Lisa), many grandchildren and great grandchildren, brother-in-law Robert (Mary Ellen) Warner, sister-in-law Elvira Covey, many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family wishes to express great admiration and gratitude to Dr. Richard and Tami Byers whose care through the years had such impact upon her health and well-being. No words can express their incredible skill and tenderness.

Many thanks also to Mary's kind home healthcare providers, Sharon Haines, Wendy McCormick, Brenda Cox and Pat Jordan.

A memorial service for Mary will be held on Saturday, July 23, 2022, 11:00 AM, at Faith Community United Methodist Church in Xenia.

In lieu of flowers a donation to Faith Community, Xenia Rotary Club, St. Jude's, Salvation Army or Crossroads Hospice in Dayton would be appreciated.

The family is grateful to the staff at McColaugh Massie Funeral Home for their excellent guidance and help in honoring our Mother.

" Mom lived a long and gracious life and never failed to be thankful. Ever. Her spirit now resides with our Father in Heaven ."

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