Mary Cass, 77, of Valparaiso, IN, passed away Sunday, July 3, 2022. She was born January 29, 1945, in Gary, IN, to the late Arthur and Helen (Parke) Cass. Mary had a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University and a master’s degree from Purdue University. She was a retired mental health therapist who spent more than 25 years helping patients in a myriad of settings. Mary was an avid reader who loved gardening, tending to her house plants, spending time with her family, and visiting the Indiana Dunes. She will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, and sister who will be deeply missed.
Mary is survived by her children: Melissa (Tom) Jabas of Blaine, MN, Jessica (Steve) Teets of Lafayette, IN, Matthew (Sarah) Johnson of Chicago, IL; grandchildren: Damien Alex (Margo) Dicken, Evan Jabas, Erika Jabas, Derek Johnson, Emily Johnson; a great grandchild on the way; sister, Nancy Cass (David Selmer); and brother, George Cass. She was preceded in death by her sister, Judith Cass Vlietstra.
A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, July 24, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. with a champagne toast beginning at 2:30 p.m. at Moeller Funeral Home, 104 Roosevelt Road, Valparaiso, IN. Memorial donations may be made in Mary’s name to Save the Dunes.
We are so sad to hear about Mary’s passing. We want her family to know what a blessing she was in our life. Edd graduated with Mary from Lew Wallace in Gary. I, Pat, met Mary when I worked with her at the Lake County Welfare Department in 1967. She and I walked into Gary National Bank, 1 block from the welfare dept. where Edd was working as a teller. We had an instant attraction and I asked Mary about him. An hour or so later, Ed called her and asked about me. She introduced us and the rest is history! We have been married for 54 years and have 2 sons and 4 grandchildren. If it hadn’t been for Mary, none of that might have happened! We lost touch and had not seen her since a Lew Wallace 1963 class reunion many years ago. I heard on Facebook a few days ago that she had cancer and so I googled her and found out about her death. I hope her suffering was not too bad and I want all of you to know that her friendship was everything in our lives! Prayers for peace for all of you, -Pat and Edd Plesko
