Mary Kaiser Pettit

Mary K. Pettit, 90, was born Mary Sturdevant Kaiser on January 17, 1936, in Syracuse, New York.

She is survived by her three loving children: Lisa Pettit of Portland, Oregon; Wendy Howells and her husband, James, of Carmel, California; and Ric Pettit and his wife, Lauri, of Manlius, New York. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Nicholas Pettit and Zachary Pettit and his wife, Elizabeth; her great-grandson, Wesley; her nieces, Nancy and her husband, Dan; Amy and her husband, Rich, and; and her nephew, John, and his wife, Heidi.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Emily and John Kaiser; her sister, Shirley Steigerwald; and her brother, Howard Kaiser, all of whom resided in Syracuse.

Mary grew up, lived, and worked in the Syracuse area before relocating to California during retirement. Throughout her working life, she held retail and customer service positions, most recently at Stickley Furniture in Manlius. Her hobbies included a variety of arts and crafts, reading, puzzles, and movies. Her favorite foods were simple—anything she didn’t have to prepare herself!

Throughout her life, Mary touched many lives with her positive attitude and appreciation for the little things, such as a beautiful flower or a bird at the feeder. She was one of those rare individuals who woke with a smile and seemed to keep it there all day. Although private in many ways, Mary thoroughly enjoyed socializing with friends and, above all else, spending time with her family.

Mary was steadfast in her beliefs and values and passed those virtues along to her loving children. She will be missed by all of us but never forgotten.

Mary will be laid to rest in a family plot in Fayetteville Cemetery in Fayetteville, New York. Services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary’s memory to The Nature Conservancy.