Mary Jane Pasternack-Parker

Mary Pasternack-Parker passed away peacefully on November 1, 2025. She was born at home in Vira, Pennsylvania, on August 3, 1930.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Sadie and Carl Stuck; her first husband, Charles Pasternack (1961); and her second husband, Ben Parker (2003). She outlived her siblings, Leroy, Raymond, James, and Doris.
Mary is survived by her two children and their spouses: daughter Deborah (husband, Bill Smith) of NC, and son Stephen (wife, Rosemary) of OH. Ben’s children also became Mary’s family, and she is survived by Bennett Parker (wife, Jodi) of CA; Russell Parker (wife, Denise) of FL; and Patty Parker.
She was blessed with three granddaughters, six grandsons, and eighteen great-grandchildren. Her grandchildren and their spouses are Shannon (Dan) Hale; Erin (Marshall) Wright; Adam (Sarah) Pasternack; Andrew (Jamaila) Cuentas-Pasternack; Matthew (Molly) Pasternack; Mark (Nicole) Pasternack; Jeanette (Vince) Bals; Grant Parker; and Nicholas Parker.
Her great-grandchildren include Alexandria and Wolfram Wright; Liam and Arlo Pasternack; Marisol, Stella, Jude, Luna, JJ, and baby-to-be Cuentas-Pasternack; Benjamin, Noah, and Jack Pasternack; Amelia, Ruth, Elizabeth, and Joseph Pasternack; and Lauren Bals.
Mary overcame many obstacles in her life, including growing up during the Depression, relocating to Ohio away from her family in Pennsylvania with her husband and baby daughter to pursue work, and the unexpected death of her first husband. As a 31-year-old widow, she raised her 11-year-old daughter and 5-year-old son. Later in life, she cared for her second husband, Ben, until the end of his life.
Mary never complained about the tough times. Instead, she evaluated the task at hand, chose love, and worked through challenges with true grit. With the help of neighbors and friends, she worked part-time jobs during her children’s youth to provide a warm and loving home. When Deb and Steve became parents, Mary would visit and, without a word, roll up her sleeves, doing the dishes, folding laundry, washing the sticky kitchen floor, and then making dinner.
Mary was a lifelong Christian, and her church families include Vira Methodist Church (PA), Perry Christian Church (OH), and MorningStar Presbyterian Church (NC). She had a quiet spirituality, showing her faith through love for her family and compassion for those in need. Her faith was the foundation of her strong work ethic, and she freely gave to others without complaint. Her legacy of love and generosity lives on in her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and the many lives she touched.
In addition to her faith and family, Mary also left a legacy family card game, which she played every night until the very end of her life. She was a card shark who loved reminding her family that they had just been defeated by a 90-year-old woman! Affectionately called “Whoop,” the game got its name from her gleeful victories and our good-natured defeats.
Mary was a modest woman who underestimated the impact of her life. When asked what she would like people to remember about her, she said, “My honesty, hard work ethic, and to treat others well and with respect.”
GmaP, you will always be a part of our hearts and souls.
A burial service will be held at Perry Cemetery, Perry, Ohio, at 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 15, 2025. Donations may be made in Mary’s memory (in lieu of flowers) to: MorningStar Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 691264, Charlotte, NC 28227. Online obituary and guestbook at www.behmfuneral.com