Mary M Pentenburg

Mary Margaret Pentenburg, 88, passed away peacefully August 12, 2023, at Mercy Health St. Rita’s Medical Center. Mary was born July 21, 1935, in Lima, to the late M. Louise (Stoll) and Dennis J. McGraw, Sr.

Mary was a 1953 graduate of St. Rose High School in Lima, OH. She married the love of her life, Thomas E. Pentenburg, in 1956, who died in 2002. They celebrated 45 wonderful years of marriage. Together, they raised 3 children, all surviving: Lisa (Ed) Rettig of Lima, Ellen (Patrick) Dunnigan of Carmel, IN, and Thomas G (Elizabeth Maher) Pentenburg of Ft. Wayne, IN. Their fourth child, Suzanne Pentenburg, died at birth.

Mary worked at Household Finance in her early career before raising their children. Later, she worked at Prudential Insurance, Lima, before retiring. Mary was an accomplished pianist who played for many family gatherings and Lions Club Meetings. She loved music and sports, and especially loved watching her grandchildren play sports. Her best days were spent with family and friends. She and her husband, Tom, were members of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church and proud supporters of Catholic schools and Lima’s Samaritan House.

In addition to her three children and their spouses, Mary is survived by her 6 grandchildren, Jennifer (Andrew) Reitz, Robert Rettig, Anna (Andrew) Klimek, Molly Pentenburg (fiancé Riley Coonan), Marty (Caroline) Pentenburg, and John Patrick “Jack” Pentenburg; and 4 great grandchildren, Caroline Reitz, Henry Pentenburg, James Pentenburg, and John Andrew “Jack” Klimek. Mary is also survived by her brother Dennis J McGraw, Jr, and her sister-in-law Jane Ruen Falk, and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband and parents, Mary was predeceased by two brothers and their spouses, Robert (Bob) McGraw and his wife, Althea McGraw, and Richard (Dick) McGraw and his wife, Carol McGraw. Mary was also predeceased by her sister-in-law, Betty McGraw, 4 brothers-in-law (Louis, John, George, and Dan “Butch” Pentenburg), and 4 sisters-in-law (Mary Bowman, Catherine Weber, Fran Rhine, and Louise Pentenburg).

Visitation will be held Monday, August 21, 2023, beginning at 9am until Mass starts in the Gathering Space at St. Charles Catholic Church (south entrance) in Lima. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11am, followed by burial at Gethsemani Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Lima’s Samaritan House, 328 W. McKibben St., Lima OH 45801, which is housed in Mary’s childhood home and was a worthy cause to her. Further contributions may be made to Lima Central Catholic High School and St. Charles Catholic Church.

The family wishes to express their sincere thanks to numerous therapists and caregivers from Mercy Health and to her wonderful neighbors.

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