Mary Margaret Ocheske

Wife, mother, nana, great nana, friend – those are the labels that defined Mary M. Ocheske, age 99, who died peacefully at her home under a full Harvest Moon on October 8, 2025. She was born in Port Clinton, Ohio at Stop 99 on July 23, 1926. She later moved to Toledo and graduated from Central Catholic High School. A good student, she became a lifelong reader and encouraged her children to read and become educated.

After World War II she married William Ocheske, an Army Ranger veteran, she was attracted to his large close family and his love of the outdoors. Their children included, Judy (Bill) Clay, Rosella Eaton, Bill (Dawn) Ocheske and Joy (Keith) Taylor; eight grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren. Even though she worked double shifts as a server at Northwood Inn for thirty years she loved cooking big family dinners every Sunday for all of us. She met her best friends, Addie Decker, Hannah and Mary Ann and enjoyed many years of laughter with them.

She was especially proud and honored to be present, with her sister Ethel, at the return of her brother’s body, a prisoner of war in Bataan, after 75 years. She was so grateful to Sargent Bill Curtin, U.S. Army and the sixty plus Patriot Guard Motorcycle Club for their escort.

Special thanks to Hospice of Northwest Ohio, Amy RN and Home Care of Ohio.

Mom’s mantras “To be the best that I can be” and “Life is a great adventure” carried her through life and imprinted on her family. She will be missed by all that knew her and upon reflecting we hope she realizes that she made this a better world.