Mary Martha (Hetrick) Mentzer

Mary Martha (Hetrick) Mentzer, 75, of Newville, passed away in the arms of her loving husband, Gary L. Mentzer, at their home on Sunday, January 28, 2024 following a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s.  She was born Saturday, November 27, 1948 in Newville to the late Earl W. and Pernie (Ferguson) Hetrick.

Mary was a 1966 graduate of Big Spring High School, a 1969 graduate of Bryn Mawr Hospital School of Nursing, and she also earned an advanced degree from St. Joseph’s College of Maine.  She served as a nurse for over 42 years and is remembered by all who knew her as a dedicated and caring professional, always going the “extra mile” to help everyone with whom she came in contact.  She began her nursing career at Carlisle Hospital serving in various capacities until 1993.  She then served as Director of Nursing in the Skilled Nursing Center at Cumberland Crossings.  In 2004 she began working at Claremont Nursing and Rehab as a Quality Assurance director until her retirement in 2011.  Her dedication earned her the 2004 Earl R. Keller Rising Star Award, a distinction given by the Cumberland County commissioners to an outstanding employee.  She continued to visit, volunteer and was active at Claremont after her retirement.

In 2000 she married Gary and together they built and operated Ye Olde Country Auction Barn in Newville hosting special musical events and auctions.  She was a member of Newville Historical Society, Newville Senior Center, AARP, PA Auctioneers Auxiliary, and Seven Mountains Bluegrass Association.

Mary grew up as an involved member of Zion Lutheran Church in Newville.  In her later years, she was a faithful supporter of Kennedy’s Valley Church of God and one of the original founders of the Newville Cowboy Church.

In addition to her loving husband, Gary, she is survived by a son, Jeremy Shade (Lisa) and grandson, Parker Shade, of Newville; two sisters, Margaret Butts (Richard) of Newville, and Barbara Braband (Timothy) of Gettysburg; and many nieces and nephews.

To honor Mary’s wishes, her earthly body was donated for medical research through Humanity Gifts Registry.  A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, March 9th at 1:00PM at the Auction Barn, 40 Shepherd Road, Newville, PA 17241.  Rothermel-Finkenbinder Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. in Palmyra has been entrusted with the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her honor to Friendship Hose Company EMS, Training & Development, PO Box 218, Newville, PA 17241.  Condolences and memories may be shared at www.finkenbinderfamily.com

Friendship Hose Company EMS
PO Box 218, Newville PA 17241
Tel: 1-717-776-4747