Mary Gottschalk

Gottschalk, Mary Mary Gottschalk passed away peacefully on April 11, 2023. She lived a life defined by Love. Her kindness was felt by all who knew her, and the light of compassion and caring shined brightly in all that she did. She saw the good in people and this often made them recognize that goodness in themselves. Her unusual balance of spiritual conviction and humility guided her through deep waters and provided safe harbor. In a Christmas letter to family and friends she once wrote, "We keep learning lessons which make some of the struggles we all have worthwhile, giving us at least a glimpse of the power of Good in the world." She was known for her quiet strength, intelligence, and warmth.

She and her sister Ramona were born in New York to Marion Packard van Urk, a professional pianist, and Frederick T. van Urk, who worked in insurance, and were raised in the Philadelphia area. She found joy and accomplishment as an ice dancer through her high school and college years. After graduating with a B.A. in French from Principia College, she earned a Masters in Education from University of Pennsylvania. Ten years later she entered the doctoral program in German language and literature at Stanford University . Following a move to Boston in 1978, she joined the German faculty at Wellesley College for six years, later teaching privately and at Wellesley High School. Along with ice dance and languages, she always had a great love for music.

She grew in strength through a challenging first marriage, and she and her son, Laird Nolan, found a new sense of family with her marriage to Stephen Gottschalk in 1975, later welcoming a daughter, Jennie, and a foster son, Peter Chopur, into the family which she nurtured and celebrated on a daily basis. Church was a foundational part of her life. She actively served in several Christian Science branch churches, in roles including Sunday School teacher, Reading Room librarian, board member, and First Reader. In 2005 she became a full time Christian Science Practitioner, providing healing and spiritual guidance to those who called her for support in times of need. She regularly gave talks at Christian Science gatherings in the US and in Europe. She also made recordings at the church headquarters in Boston of the weekly Christian Science Bible Lessons for worldwide distribution, and served as a substitute Reader at Sunday and Wednesday services at The First Church of Christ, Scientist in Boston. Her love for God made her presence a comfort to many, and that sense of good endures.