Mary Edythe Degener

Mary Edythe (Freeman) Degener, age 92, died peacefully at her home Saturday, March 5, 2022. She courageously battled Type 1 Diabetes for over sixty years and most recently was undergoing treatment for lung cancer. She is survived by her beloved husband Dwight, to whom she was married for almost sixty-eight years. Mary is also survived by her children Craig (Ruth Ann) and Nancy, grandchildren Craig Jr. and Kristy, and her sister Dorothy Holcombe-Damiano.

Mary was born in Trenton, NJ to Allyne Maxwell Freeman and Edythe Dye. She attended Trenton schools and then went on to Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Voice.

During the summer of 1950, Mary met the love of her life while working as an archery instructor at Silver Bay YMCA on Lake George, NY. Dwight was also working there that summer as a tennis instructor on the courts overlooking the beautiful lake. As fate would have it, one of Mary’s arrows landed on Dwight’s court as if directed by Cupid.

While Mary was attending Westminster Choir College and Dwight was nearby at Princeton University, they continued to date during their senior year. Upon graduation, Mary became a music teacher at the Bement School in Deerfield, MA, and Dwight enlisted in the Air Force. Their romance grew even though apart.

Mary and Dwight were married June 5th, 1954. They settled in White Plains, NY, raising their family while enjoying gardening, tennis, pets, and many friends. Every summer, they continued to visit Silver Bay where they first met.

One of Mary’s greatest joys was being a member of the White Plains Presbyterian Church, which she and Dwight attended since 1955. There they enjoyed singing together in the choir, rarely missing a Sunday. In addition to her passion for music, she was also passionate about working with children. Mary led the children’s Youth Choir for many years and directed special performances such as “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”

In later years, Mary enjoyed helping raise her beloved grandchildren. Through her teaching, she imparted wisdom, kindness, humor, and “joie de vivre.” She attended all their sporting events, concerts, and celebrations. She also took up new hobbies including ballroom dancing, book club, and Spanish lessons.

Per her final wishes and selfless generosity, Mary’s body was donated to the Joslin Clinic for the study and research of Type 1 Diabetes. She was a proud member of the “50-year Medalist Study,” for having lived with Type 1 Diabetes for over fifty years. Mary will be remembered for a life well lived, her unwavering gratitude, and the joy she brought to everyone she met.

Much appreciated memorial donations can be made in her name to:

Medalist Research Fund

Joslin Diabetes Center

1 Joslin Place

Boston, Massachusetts 02215

OR

White Plains Presbyterian Church

39 North Broadway

White Plains, New York 10601

Services:

Regular Worship service to begin at 10am on July 10, 2022 at White Plains Presbyterian Church 39 N Broadway, White Plains, NY 10601

Memorial service of remembrance and interment to begin at 10:30am