Mary March, Habitat volunteer

Mary Trebilcock March, 82, formerly of Port Allegany, passed away peacefully on August 17, 2013 at the home of her son, Michael in Iron Mountain, MI.

She was born Mary Eleanore Trebilcock on June 28, 1931 in Madison, WI to Arthur F. and Madelyn Stanchfield Trebilcock.

Mary grew up in Madison. She graduated from Madison West High School in Madison in 1949. After high school she attended the University of Wisconsin, Madison, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy in 1953.  

Mary married Frederic Clifton March in 1954 in Madison. Together they fulfilled their dream of building a large, supportive and loving family: a household full of activity, friends, laughter and chaos. From Woodland Avenue to Elm Street to Quail Hill Drive, Mary and Fred welcomed a growing herd who raided the fridge, wore out the board games and whiled the nights away. They were happily married for 33 years. Upon Fred's death, Mary relocated to Weaverville, NC and forged a new life of social clubs, church and charities. A seasoned seamstress, she sewed hundreds of blankets for the Linus Project. In Weaverville she also pursued her artistic passion, dollhouses and miniatures, and her love of good books. Her commitment to literature-and the kindness of spirit it engenders-is among her most enduring legacies to her children and grandchildren. (However, kindness was optional at the bridge table and Scrabble board.) She will be remembered equally for her laughter in the midst of a noisy family, and for the quieter joys of reading and needlepoint by the fireplace, a trusting dog curled at her feet. 

Mary was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Asheville, NC and an active and loyal member of the Ruth Davidson chapter of DAR. She was also a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity and served as a docent for the Biltmore House.

Mary was preceded in death by her father, Arthur F. Trebilcock, mother Madelyn Stanchfield Trebilcock, her sister Madelyn Trebilcock Knopf, and husband, Frederic Clifton March.

Mary is survived by her six children, Madelyn (Michael) Farber of Port Allegany, PA, Michael (Lorna) March of Iron Mountain, MI, Lauren (Martin Scott) March of Raleigh, NC, Bruce (Melissa Haack) March, of Iowa City, IA, John (Cynda Lamb) March of Ithaca, NY and David (Amy Danielson) March of Minneapolis, MN; her sister, Georgia Trebilcock Garner of Cleveland Heights, OH;  and her six grandchildren Paige Williams, Brian (Roxanne) Williams, Libby March, Catherine March, Joshua March and Lauren March.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, Sept 22 at 2:00 PM, in the First Presbyterian Church, Church Street, Port Allegany, with the Rev. Garen Smith, Pastor officiating. Burial will be in the Fairview Cemetery, Port Allegany.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to The S.W. Smith Library Building Fund or the Port Allegany Presbyterian Church. Online condolence may be made at www.hartle-tarboxfuneralhomes.com

Arrangements are under the direction of the Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes, Port Allegany.