Mary Juanita Switzer

Mary Juanita Switzer, 68, of Bloomington, IN, passed away Wednesday, July 29, 2015, in the I.U. Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis after a lengthy illness. She was born on August 2, 1946 in Indianapolis, to George E. and Ruth L. (O'Neill) Switzer, who preceded her in death. Mary is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, John and Peggy (Young) Switzer of South Bend, IN; niece Jill Switzer-Wolf, her husband Eduardo Wolf and their children Cecilia and Joaquin of Eugene, OR; nephew Joe Switzer, his wife Elena (Dodd) Switzer and their children Mateo and Aiden, of St. Louis, MO; and nephew Jim Switzer of Indianapolis. Always a high achiever, Mary skipped 7th grade graduating with honors from Sacred Heart Central High School in 1963 at the age of 16. She attended Indian River Junior College and Florida State University, where she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Biology, finishing college Magna Cum Laude in 3 ½ years. She worked a year for the Indiana University Medical Center, then found her life's work as an I.T. Specialist at Indiana Bell/Ameritech/ATT&T, retiring in 2000. She worked for Walmart for about 10 years, in four different locations, rising to the position of Assistant Manager. For the past four years, she was employed by the Monroe County YMCA, most recently as Membership System Administrator. From the early age, Mary was a fearless and independent adventurer. She learned to fly in her early 20's earning instrument and multi-engine ratings. She loved golf, playing courses all around Indiana, Kentucky, as well as in England, Ireland, and Scotland. She ran the white water rapids of the Snake River in Idaho, did a photo safari on the Masai Mara in Africa and volunteered for a week at a school for AIDS kids in Kenya. She traveled all over North America and Hawaii, toured the Vatican and Italy and explored Chile and Peru. She took her niece and nephews on great trips, to dude ranches in Colorado, Disney World, cruises in the Caribbean, and exotic trips to Cancun. In more recent times, she delighted in spending time with her great niece and great nephews. Mary was a devout and faithful Catholic Christian, regularly serving for many years at her parishes in Greencastle and Bloomington as a Lector, Eucharistic Minister and CCD teacher. She was a volunteer a various festivals and events in Bloomington, most notably the annual Lotus and Edible Lotus Festivals. Mary was a voracious reader, with modern mysteries, romances, and thrillers by the likes of John Grisham, Nicholas Sparks, Tom Clancy, and Mary Higgins Clark among her favorites. She was also an avid reader of anything about the Civil War. She loved music theater. Even as a young girl, she knew the words and music of South Pacific, West Side Story, Oklahoma!, Camelot and The Sound of Music, long before she saw them on the stage or screen. Later, Funny Girl, Oliver, My Fair Lady, Phantom of the Opera, and Les Miserable were added to her lists of favorites. Her favorite color was Hoosier RED. But Colts BLUE and the BLUE & GOLD of Notre Dame were O.K. too. She was generous to a fault, showering gifts on her family at Christmas, on birthdays, and at other times, "just because." She was fiercely independent, right up to the end of her life. Though in many ways very private, she was gregarious and friendly to all. A true "giver," she invested much of her energy in the care of her parents, helping them live comfortably well into their eighties. She took great joy and pride in being with her family, her work, her community and her Church. Though she left us too soon, hers was a life well lived, and those who knew and loved her are better for having had her in their lives. She will be missed by all. A Mass of Christian Burial to celebrate Mary's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 29, 2015 at St. Paul's Catholic Center, 1413 East 17th Street, Bloomington, IN 47408. Friends may call in the Gathering Space of the church from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. to visit with the family before the Mass. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Monroe County, Indiana YMCA, Y for All Fund in memory of Mary Switzer, 2125 South Highland Avenue, Bloomington, IN 47401, or to St. Paul Catholic Center, at the above address.

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Mary Juanita Switzer

August 2, 1946 - July 29, 2015