Mary Cummings

1952 - 2025

PESOTUM - It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Mary Ann Cummings (Noerenberg), beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend, on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at the age of 73.

Mary was an incredibly kind, loving woman whose generosity, thoughtfulness and constant support made an indelible impact on all who had the privilege to know her.

Mary, or Mary Ann, was born on Jan. 24, 1952, in Olney, to the late Betty (Harms) Noerenberg and Frederick H Noerenberg. She graduated from East Richland High School in Olney in 1970. She achieved the equivalent of an associate degree in arts from Eastern Illinois University, chiefly in music education studies. In 1973, she met Raymond F. Cummings. The two were married on Aug. 4, 1973, and spent 52 years together.

Mary is survived by her loving husband, Ray; stepdaughter, Marissa (Larry) Tatum; two daughters, Tracie (Mark) Williams and Rebecca (Daren Lampton) Cummings; her beloved grandchildren, Kaleb (Allison), Keyanah, Dorian, Kaliah, Justina, Sabian, Rhiannon, Samuel, Mary Jane, Seth and Judah; great-grandchildren, Elin, Avery, Kade, KJ, Kai and Maddie; brother, Paul F. (Beverly) Noerenberg; sister, Martha Jane Hertendy; and beloved nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Mary was a passionate and dedicated musician. A talented vocalist and pianist, she played and sang for the Pesotum United Methodist Church, Tolono United Methodist Church, Tolono Presbyterian Church and, most recently, Monticello United Methodist Church. She also supported concerts and competitions for the Unit 7 school district, most notably Unity High School, where her husband, Ray, was a teacher. She supported her children in their musical endeavours as well as teaching piano and voice to various students spanning decades. Most recently, she enjoyed four-part harmony and joined the Sweet Adelines Toast of Champaign in Champaign, where she sang bass. Mary's further musicality and love of theater also found her involved in Tom Thumb Theater, the Dickensian Singers and the Champaign-Urbana Theater Company. Mary's deep love of music and singing brought delight and long-lasting joy to her family and friends, and instilled that same love and delight in her children. 

Mary was also a dedicated 50-year member of the Order of the Eastern Star, a member of the Order of Amaranth, and supporter of the Rainbow Girls and Freemasons. She grew up in a Christian home, loved and cherished by her parents, and carried on that love and affection to her own family and friends.

A celebration of life memorial service with Eastern Star rites will be held on Saturday, March 29, at 10 a.m. at Tolono Masonic Lodge 391, 202 E. Main St., Tolono. Rites will be given at 11:30 a.m. All are welcome to come and share memories of Mary in an informal setting from 10 a.m. until the rites are due to be given. If you are able to join us, please wear red, purple or anything with St. Louis Cardinals (she was a huge fan).

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (stjude.org) in Mary's memory.

This obituary does little to fully reflect and highlight the life of the loving person who has left us. Mary's love and legacy will be forever cherished by her family, friends and all who had the joy of sharing harmony with her in this life. She will be very deeply missed.