Mary Wotanis

Obituary of Mary Wotanis
With heavy hearts, we share the passing of Mary Wotanis, our beloved mother, at the age of 68. While "mother" was one of her most cherished roles, it was far from her only one. Just as importantly, Mary was a loyal friend and confidant, with deep, lasting relationships that spanned decades and crossed continents. Her relationships were, without a doubt, her most treasured possession.
Mary found joy in simply being there for others, to listen, to support, and to show up for the people she loved. She often said, "No man is a failure who has friends," and by those standards alone, she was an incredibly successful person. As her children, we remain in awe of the impact she had on so many lives, some of whom we've never met, as Mary had a remarkable ability to make a friend out of any circumstance. If you have a story or memory of her, we would love to hear it.
Mary was a true free spirit who lived life entirely on her own terms. She prided herself on being unconventional, often boasting about her lifelong resistance to roasting a turkey or using an iron. Far more important to her than convention was the pursuit of adventure. She loved to travel and explore new places with those closest to her, and she had a knack for finding fun in the ordinary, often taking us on spontaneous joyrides for coffee, lottery tickets, and a chance to blast her favorite music. She would say, "When you're old enough to drive, you can choose the music," though no instance of that actually happening could be verified by press time.
Mary loved the expressive arts, especially music. She was deeply sentimental, and music offered her both comfort and connection. She adored sharing her favorite songs, attending live performances, and explaining the lyrics that meant the most to her. Her self-proclaimed inability to carry a tune or play an instrument never stopped her from performing her favorite songs for anyone willing to listen.
She was also a lifelong lover of the English language, with a special fondness for idioms, etymology, and true crime novels. She would have taken great joy in reading this obituary, if only to offer some gentle feedback on the grammar and phrasing, as she so often did.
Mary found purpose in service to others. Her commitment to helping those in need led her to volunteer at homeless shelters, rehab centers, and as a foster parent. In 2016, she joined her first mission to Nepal with Airline Ambassadors, where she taught at the Eco-Home orphanage near Kathmandu. She returned several times and eventually served as the organization's Board Treasurer.
Before her international service, Mary founded and ran MWD Enterprises, a medical transcription company that blended her interest in medicine with her desire to work from home and be present for her children. She took pride in offering that same flexibility to other working mothers.
Mary lived in Hampton, New Jersey, for many years and was an active member of her community. She served as a Girl Scout leader, a board member of the HBC Educational Foundation, and Vice President of the Hampton Recreation Association.
Mary is survived by her children and their spouses, Courtney and John Williams, and Thomas and Shaina Dellaventura; her siblings Edward Wotanis, Peggy Bahrt, and David (Luellyn) Wotanis; many nieces and nephews; and too many friends to count. She also leaves behind her beloved grandchildren, Rylin, Elliott, and Blakely, whom she adored beyond measure.
A memorial visitation will be held at Martin Funeral Home, located at 1761 Route 31 Clinton, NJ 08809, on Friday October 24, 2025, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Airline Ambassadors. By adding "In memory of Mary Wotanis" in the comments section, you can ensure your donation goes directly to the Eco-Home orphanage, where Mary created invaluable memories.