MAYVILLE- Mary Witherell Carlson, 92, of Mayville, passed away at her home with family at her side on Tuesday, November 7, 2023. She was born October 21, 1931, in Gowanda, NY, the daughter of the late Clinton Elbert and Dorothy Chaffe Witherell.

Mary was a 1949 graduate of Amherst Central School. She then attended and graduated from the NYS Institute of Arts & Sciences in Buffalo, NY as a Registered Dental Hygienist. She then worked as a Dental Hygiene Teacher. She had also worked at the Chautauqua County Co-Operative Board and was the Director of the Mayville Library for 18 years.

She was a member of the Mayville St Paul's Episcopal Church where she had been a Sunday School Teacher and was on the Vestry for 10 years. She was also a charter member of the Mayville Historical Society and was a board member of the Mayville Food Pantry.

In Mary's younger years, she enjoyed fishing and trolling in Chautauqua Lake for Muskie with Uncle Frank and Aunt Billie, getting together with the Tailspinners, a group of women who would take turns and share their home for food and fun every month.  Raising a family and looking forward to the annual July 4th family gathering at "Mary's" house with all the children, grandchildren great-grandchildren and friends.

Mary enjoyed reading and refinishing furniture for friends. She also enjoyed re-caning old chairs and with the help from special friend Amy Smith she was able to continue this hobby.  Mary also had two adopted daughters, Fairlee and Penny who were very much part of the family and were always there to help or laugh whenever needed.

Mary passed away in the home she has loved for 55 years and was cared for in the last year and a half by her granddaughter Libby.  Thank you, Libby, for your compassion and dedication.

She is survived by two children; Thomas (Paige Samonia) Carlson of Mayville, and Mollie E. Carlson Zoda, of Mayville, one son in-law, William P. (RoseMary) Wilbert, seven grandchildren; William "Penn" (Amanda) Wilbert, John (Jennifer Samick) Wilbert, David (Megan) Wilbert, Charlotte (Juan Rodriguez) Zoda, Nicholas (Megan) Zoda, Jonathan Carlson, and Elizabeth "Libby" Carlson, and seven great-grandchildren; Isla, Memphis, Owen, Conner, Griffen, Emery and Finn.

In addition to her parents,

she was preceded in death by her husband, John "Jack" Carlson, whom she married on April 16, 1955, and who passed away on October 12, 2010, a daughter; Emily Ann Wilbert, one great-grandson, Treyson and one sister, Ann Dorothy Witherell.

Memorials can be made to St Paul's Episcopal Church or the Mayville Library. A memorial service to be held at a later date at the convenience of the family and will be announced.

To leave a remembrance or to post condolences to the family, please visit freayfuneralhome.com