Mary E. Oftring

Mary E. Oftring of Worcester died Monday, January 16, 2012 at the Jewish Healthcare Center.

Mary's husband Frank A. Oftring Jr. died in 1982. She was also predeceased by two brothers John McCutcheon of Nutley, N.J. and Robert McCutcheon of Worcester and previously of Long Beach, N.Y.

Mary is survived by her ten children and their families: Mary Ellen Oftring of Boston; Frank A Oftring III and his wife Madonna of Wrentham; Ruth Ann Oftring of Worcester; Robert J. Oftring and his wife Katherine of Worcester; Elizabeth Tanona and her husband Joseph Tanona Jr. of Paxton; Monica T. Oftring of Sterling; Daniel J. Oftring and his wife Susan of Grafton; Stephen P. Oftring of Beverly; Julie E. Koblish and her husband Antony of Malvern, Pa.; and Joseph M.H. Oftring of Worcester. Grandchildren include Anne, Mary, and Frank IV (Frank and Madonna); Robert Jr., Colin and Michael (Bob and Kate); Joseph III, and Matthew (Liz and Joe); Caroline, Margaret and Charles (Dan and Sue), and Anna, Maria and Frank (Julie and Tony). She also leaves her many nieces and nephews.

Born February 28, 1928 in Manhattan, N.Y. to John and Ruth McCutcheon, Mary graduated from Millwood High School in Brooklyn and attended St. Johns University in Queens, N.Y. She also attended classes at Quinsigamond College and Clark University in Worcester.

As a young woman, Mary held several jobs in Manhattan, thoroughly enjoying the excitement and adventure that New York City had to offer. Mary carried this adventurous spirit from her New York City upbringing into her adult life when she settled here in Worcester after marriage. She met Frank Oftring at a friend's wedding in the Catskills in 1950. Mary and Frank were wed November 10, 1951. They resided for a time in Shrewsbury, before eventually settling in Worcester, where Mary would reside for the next 52 years. Early on, she raised a family of young children while her husband Frank coached Holy Cross basketball and founded his investment firm, Oftring and Company, in 1962.

Mary later worked at UMass Hospital on Lake Ave., Worcester where she was the "TV Lady", going room to room bringing her engaging, witty personality and compassion. Mary later worked for the Massachusetts State Lottery as a courier where she learned the back roads and byways of Central Massachusetts and the location of every TJ Maxx store along the way.

Mary enjoyed the sea shore, swimming in the seas of Long Island, Harwichport, Seabrook, N.H., Narragansett, R.I. and Kennebunk, Maine. She liked to ski, taking in the beauty of the mountaintops. She enjoyed family trips, travelling to varied destinations in New England and New York. Later in life she traveled with friends and family to Costa Rica, Jamaica, and Europe.

Mary enjoyed sporting events throughout her life, mostly the basketball games of her husband and sons. Most recently, she was hooked on football as played by Tom Brady and the Patriots. She enjoyed PBS Masterpiece Theatre and was an avid reader. She was a lifelong Democrat, always keeping up with the issues by watching political shows and reading The New York Times. She was a member of Opera Worcester.

Mary was enthralled by thunderstorms in the summer and blizzards when the cold came. She was a storm person and a force of nature herself.

Most of all Mary loved her family and her faith. She especially loved her grandchildren whom she instilled with a sense of love, importance of family, and their special individuality. Holidays were the most fun with Mary, the center of attention and admiration for everyone yet the primary source of entertainment. Mary will be remembered for her unique sense of humor and uplifting spirit.

She was a member of the former St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Worcester and was an Associate member in the Sisters of Saint Anne, based in Marlboro.

In her final months Mary received compassionate and wonderful care at the Jewish Healthcare Center. The Oftring family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the professionals and staff at the healthcare center.

The calling hours are Friday, January 20 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster St., Worcester. The funeral will be held Saturday, January 21 from the funeral home with a Mass at 10 a.m. in Blessed Sacrament Church, 555 Pleasant St., Worcester. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Jewish Healthcare Center, 629 Salisbury St., Worcester 01609 or the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham 01701.