Mary Rechtin Obituary
Mary Jo is survived by her loving husband of 55 years, Rick Rechtin; her beloved daughters, Beth Venard (Bill) and Shawna Bates (Troy); her cherished grandchildren, Krissy Bates, Evan Haag (Abby), Tanner Bates (Caitlin), Madalyn Venard, Bailey Venard, Elyssa Venard, Ethan Bates, and Emsley Venard; and her treasured great-grandchildren, Felicity, Eloise, and Wally Haag, and Oakley and Emersyn Bates. She is also survived by her brothers, Larry Ryan (Jean), Michael Ryan, and Patrick Ryan (Sandy), as well as her dear aunt, Claudia Newman.
Mary Jo will be remembered as a woman of deep and unwavering faith. She served as a Lay Pastoral Minister for the Diocese of Covington, was a Benedictine Oblate, and was a devoted member of St. Timothy Parish. There, she was actively involved in numerous parish projects, served as a lector and extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, and was a member of the outreach committee.
A dedicated educator, Mary Jo spent 38 years teaching at Boone County High School, Villa Madonna Academy, Ludlow High School, and Ryle High School. Beyond the classroom, she taught all who knew her how to live with grace, dignity, and steadfast faith-even in life's most difficult moments.
Visitation will be held on Friday, January 23, 2026, at Stith Funeral Home, 7500 U.S. Highway 42, Florence, Kentucky 41042, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at St. Timothy Catholic Church, 10272 U.S. Highway 42, Union, Kentucky 41091, beginning at 10:00 a.m.
Due to space constraints at the cemetery, a private burial will take place at St. Patrick Cemetery in Verona, Kentucky.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to St. Timothy Debt Reduction (at the above church address), St. Walburg Monastery, 2500 Amsterdam Road, Villa Hills, Kentucky 41017, or the Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Greater Cincinnati, P.O. Box 42277, Cincinnati, Ohio 45242.
Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.stithfuneralhome.com
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6 Entries
Lisa Franxman
January 29, 2026
Mary Jo was an amazing and courageous woman. I don´t think she ever met a stranger. I love seeing her walk in the neighborhood. My boys talked about how great of a substitute teacher she was at Ryle. She will be dearly missed.
Elke Bergmeister
January 24, 2026
Mary Jo and I were introduced to one another when I accompanied a group of German high school students on an exchange with our sister school, Ryle, in 2006. From then on we never lost contact. Each and every year when I came back to Ryle she would organize a lunch at the math department for me, although I represented languages. And in our leisure she took me to places worth visiting.
In 2015 she had booked plane tickets for herself and Rick to pay us a visit in Germany, which had to be cancelled due to her cancer diagnosis. Within all these years she fought cancer with an unimaginable bravery and strength, and she and I clung to our dream to be reunited in Germany one day. It remained a dream. But Mary Jo was my role model and inspiration of hope and faith and the way she dealt with her disease.
Mary Jo, my dear friend, Thank you for everything. May you be blessed at a place without suffering and worries.
My deep sympathy goes out to Rick, their two daughters, and their entire family.
Elke Bergmeister
Beverly Rha
January 23, 2026
Mary Jo was a dear friend who was always supportive of my health journey and she will always be in our hearts.
Diane Fazzalaro
January 23, 2026
I worked with Mary Jo at Ryle High School. I never saw her without a smile on her face and a cheery "hello" to share with all. She was an amazing person.
My deepest sympathy to her family.
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Bob Murdock
January 22, 2026
Met Mary Jo and Rick at Thomas More University back when Rick would bring her in at curfew hour at the dorm. I was the resident assistant who had to sign her in. Her being from Walton later proved more of a connection when I started teaching there. Loved teaching some of the Ryans at that time. May Mary Jo rest in peace.
Terri Webb
January 22, 2026
Mary Jo was a wonderful lady. I met when she volunteered for after school tutoring at RA Jones. She volunteered for several years always bring her peaceful energy and contagious smile with her. I learned much from her - not only about pedagogy and teaching, but also about inner strength and faith.
I send my deepest condolences to Mary Jo's family and friends.
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