Mary McManus Kratzer

Mary McManus Kratzer passed away peacefully on July 22, 2022, in Roswell, GA, surrounded by loved ones. Mary was 95 years young.  She was a devoted Catholic.
Born in Savannah, Mary lived most of her growing-up years in Atlanta, in the Virginia-Highland neighborhood.  A graduate of Sacred Heart High School and Fontbonne College, Mary met her future husband Tom Kratzer in a young Catholic group.  Through their marriage in 1951, they built a loving family with their 6 children.  They have always been very involved in their Catholic parishes: St. Thomas More, Sts. Peter and Paul (founding members), Holy Cross, Sacred Heart (Hartwell) and St. Peter Chanel.

Mary's deep faith has been the touchstone of her life, and her kindness and love were shown to all through her words, actions and smile.  She has touched so many lives, and her children and family count themselves most blessed to have been raised by and learned from this amazing woman.

Mary and Tom cherished their family time and were the anchors for many annual gatherings at Edisto Beach, SC – where friends of the children were welcomed and shown, first-hand, the love and camaraderie of sharing crabs and conversation – and some wild poker games.  Mary also served as a loving and tolerant first-mate to Tom on several sailing adventures.  They enjoyed living aboard the "Blown Away" in Hilton Head before embarking on a small boat sail across the Atlantic from Spain to Brazil.  They immediately sold their boat and built a home in Hartwell that continued the bonds and love of family visits.  After Tom's death, Mary was a charter resident of St. George Village in Roswell where she had great friendships among residents and staff.

Mary loved spending time with immediate and extended family, which included:  her children Marilyn Smith, of St. Simons Island, Nancy Cuttner (husband Craig) of Atlanta, David Kratzer (wife Jeanne) of Mt. Pleasant, Karen Winkel (husband Pete) of Alpharetta, Paul Kratzer (wife Candice) of Tucson; her grandchildren Melissa Dallas, Elizabeth Cuttner, Allison Cuttner, Katie Winkel (husband Matt Shrum), Ryan Winkel (wife Nichole), Erik Winkel, Joseph Kratzer, Emma Kratzer, Kyle Kratzer, Shannon Kratzer, Meagan Kratzer; her great-grandchildren Ethan, Mason, Sutton, and Corrie; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Preceded in death by her devoted husband John Thomas "Tom" Kratzer (1999), son John Kratzer (1978), brother John J. McManus, Jr. (2022), and her parents John J. McManus Sr. and Nell McCarthy McManus.

Funeral Mass will be held at St. Peter Chanel Catholic Church, 11330 Woodstock Rd, Roswell, GA 30075 and via live stream, on Friday, September 2 at 2:00 pm (https://stpeterchanel.org/worship/live-stream).  The following day a graveside service will be held at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, 1009 Benson St, Hartwell, GA 30643 on Saturday, September 3 at 2:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to Karuna Horse Rescue, Tucson AZ) or Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Sacred Heart of Jesus, Hartwell, GA.