Mary Ohlinger, retail ad retiree, dies at 90

[Blog Note: Mary Ohlinger worked in Retail Advertising at the Beacon and her brother, the late Jerry VanSickle, who worked in the composing room]

Mary Lorraine Ohlinger, age 90, passed peacefully at home with her daughter, C. Kelly Bickey and

granddaughter, Allison Leigh Bickey, both of Raleigh, holding her hands as her long and brave struggle with vascular dementia ended.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, George Daniel Ohlinger, and her youngest daughter, Kathleen Gail Ohlinger. She is survived by daughter, Linda Marie Gibson and husband, Jim, of West Palm Beach Fla.; grandson, Robert Mitchell Bickey, of Philadelphia Pa.; and friend, Bob Bickey, of Raleigh.

Mary was born in Laramie, Wyo. and was raised and educated at Mooseheart in Ill. She moved to Akron, Ohio married and later did outstanding work for Knight Ridder newspaper, The Akron Beacon Journal, as director of business review pages. Mary had a passion for family, friends, antique glassware, ice skating and golf. She loved the warmth and beauty of the Raleigh area for the past 30 years. We will all miss "Cranberry Mary".

If desired memorial contributions may be made to the Susan B Koman Breast Cancer Fund or to the Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org.

Renaissance Funeral Home of North Raleigh, (919) 866 1866
[Beacon Journal, Akron, OH,Sunday, March 7, 2010, page B6,  col 5]