Mary (Vavpetic) Rankel, a former resident of Geneva, passed away peacefully at the family home in Thompson, Ohio, September 8, 2007.

Survivors are her loving daughters, Mary Ann Rankel of West Jordan, Utah, Margaret Ball of Painesville Twp, and Albertina Fowler of Geneva, her grandchildren Marija Fowler, Christopher Fowler, Lindsey Fowler, Zachary Ball and Ashton Ball, great-grandson Gabriel Fowler and former spouse and friend Albert Rankel.

Also surviving are brothers, Nick (Tina) Vavpetic of Roaming Shores, Joe (Mary) Vavpetic of Thompson, Tony (Helen) Vavpetic of Concord, sister Kathy (Bob Baker) Logsdon of Austinburg, a host of nieces and nephews, many cousins in Canada and Slovenia, and Aunts Margaret Oblak of Roaming Shores and Mitzi Bizjak of Kamnik, Slovenia. She was preceded in death by her parents Blaz and Marija.

Mary was born on October 24, 1941 in Ljubljana, Slovenia, to Blaz and Marija (Oblak) Vavpetic, during World War II and in the throws of a revolution led by communists in her homeland. Forced to flee Slovenia in 1945, her parents took Mary along with her brother Niko (Nick) to seek refuge in a Displaced Persons camp in Spittal, Austria. While there, brother Joze (Joe) was born in 1948 and in 1950 the family departed for Bremen, Germany. Sailing on the USS Mark L. Hersey, they immigrated to the United States arriving in New York, September 1950. After a stay at the Chelsea Hotel in Manhattan, Mary and the family left for Cleveland Ohio by train where brother Tony and sister Kathy were later born. In 1958, the family moved a final time before settling in Thompson, Ohio.

Mary leaves her three daughters, Mary Ann, Meta and Tina, whom she never ceased to love and support. The arrival of her grandchildren gave Mary great joy and was a major source of pride, especially the sharing of her birthday with her youngest grandson, Ashton.

Retiring from a long career at Reliance Electric in Ashtabula, Mary enjoyed her time by fishing and boating with her companion, the late Russ Bigham. She was an avid Browns and Indians fan, garage sale attendee, enjoyed crocheting, singing, listening to Slovenian music and dancing the polka. In her teen years, Mary was a member of the Slovenian singing group ?Slavek?.

Her favorite holiday was Easter, especially at the ?farm?, our parents? family home. ?Teta Mary?, as she was known to her nieces, nephews and young friends, was in charge of procuring plastic eggs and putting money in each for the Easter egg hunt, in which all the young grandchildren, nieces and nephews loved to participate.

Ever the big sister, her love of family never waned. Every family member received the annual birthday or anniversary greeting from our sister, via either a huge hug or simply a phone call, but always finished with ?I love you?! Mary?s dedication to family was demonstrated by her unselfish dedication and sacrifice while single handedly providing loving care and comfort to our parents, Blaz and Marija in their final years.

Staunchly proud of her Catholic faith and her Slovenian heritage, she wore them both as badges of honor. Mary we will all miss you dearly, we love you and will never forget you!

Marija, nasha sestra, pet iz Bogom !

Friends will be received from 9-11 AM on Saturday, September 15, 2007 at the Behm Family Funeral Home, 26 River Street, Madison

Memorial Service at 12:00 Noon on Saturday, September 15, 2007 at St. Patricks Church, 16650 Rock Creek Road, Thompson, Ohio.