“Together Again”
Mary Lucille Gaumer, 94, of Wooster passed onto her eternal glory on Monday, November 18 with her children by her side. She was the mother of 10 lucky children, grandmother to 23 talented grandchildren and great-grandmother to 24 fun loving great- grandchildren! She was a friend to many who received the benefits of her knowledge and affection.
Lucille was born on November 12, 1930, to Andrew and Lillian Grassman in Wooster, Ohio. She would entertain us with tales of her young life growing up in the middle of 12 children while living the great country life on farms. She graduated in 1948 from Millersburg High School where she was an outstanding student and the Valedictorian of her class. After a brief time as a clerk in the Holmes County Courthouse, she attended Kent State for a year.
Lucille met our father, Keith Gaumer, on a blind date in 1949!
They married on February 13, 1950. After a year living in Millersburg, they moved to Wooster for Dad’s job. She continued to bring forth babies and to build a loving home for all of us! She often volunteered to help with the various endeavors of her children, such as Girl and Boy Scouts, 4-H, school events, PTA, etc. She never slowed down as there was always something else with which to get busy! That trait surely must have been in the Grassman gene. Her children continue to be busy and to lend a helping hand wherever needed.
When the youngest, Steven, was in first grade, Lucille worked part-time as a secretary at St. Mary’s School. She continued to balance her home life and award us with yummy snacks every day after school! When she found out that she was expecting number 10 child, Christine, she decided to shut down her typewriter and stick to home!
Mom was a wonderful writer and even when she was recuperating from Guilliane-Barre at the age of 66 she continued to keep busy composing emails, letters, and writing her autobiography. She also found her mother Lillian Martin Grassman’s journal from 1915 and typed that to share with family members. It took courage to battle that horrible paralyzing disease. When Mom was told she would never walk again she simply replied, “just watch me”. And she did walk with a walker and then later on relied more on her scooter. She lived 27 years more, always facing her limitations with a positive attitude. Lucille never complained not even when she had heart surgery at the age of 84 to replace a valve and receive 2 stints. Her cardiologist called her “his miracle patient”. We all knew that, of course!
Her husband, Keith Gaumer, passed away in 1997, having fought a 16-year battle with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Lucille was the only surviving child in her large family of 12 Grassman children.
She is forever in the hearts of her 10 children, Barbara (Gene) O’Loughlin, David Gaumer, Michael (Linda) Gaumer, Suzanne (Robert) Henery, Robert Gaumer, Carol Wuchter, Martha Kidder, Mary (David) Purvis, Steven (Julie) Gaumer, and Christine Gaumer as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Lucille would have wanted us to ask her family and friends to donate in remembrance of her to the Wayne County Community Foundation c/o Wayne County Crippled Children and Adult Fund, 517 N. Market St. Wooster, OH 44691
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, November 25, 2024 at 10:00 AM at St. Mary Catholic Church, 527 Beall Ave., Wooster. Interment will follow in Sherwood Memorial Gardens.
Friends will be received on Sunday from 2:00-4:00 PM at McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com
My deepest sympathy to each of you as you travel this journey of grief. Your mom lived a full life. I have many fond memories of the 4 1/2 years I was there helping with her care, especially overnight.
My sincere condolence at your loss. Her biography is that of an amazing women. God bless you all.
In prayer,
Lester Martin
Sue so sorry about your Mother God Bless
Grew up down the alley from your family. Thoughts and prayers for your entire family.
A wonderfully kind and loving person. A long life well lived while touching so many others with kindness and grace. God bless her family.
Lucille was an inspiration. She always seemed happy to talk and visit and was very cheerful. I can’t imagine how much she has gone through in the past 20 or 30 years but she hung in there. I always enjoyed talking with her and the world will be a sadder place without her smiling face. I’m sad to see her go❤️
So sorry for your loss. She was quite an incredible person and a true inspiration to others. Thank you for having shared her with others.
I remember your Mom well. She was a lovely lady. So sorry for your loss.
My sincere sympathy to Lucille’s loved ones.Her spirit and knowledge always inspired me. I will cherish the time I spent caring for her in her home. She loved her home and her family so much. Love, hugs and prayers to you all.RIP Dear Lucille.
Sincere sympathy to Lucille’s family. Coming from another big crew of children, Lucille and my mom were friends throughout our school years, parish events and Scout pack meetings. Lucille was always offering a cheerful greeting whenever I saw her. I enjoyed how she always was up to date on local issues, and expressed herself in her many Letters to the Editor! What a well lived life and impressive legacy she leaves.
Dear Barb, you have my deepest sympathy to you and your family at this time of loss.,What a history of children and her zest for life and living 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Most Sincerely,
Sue Overmier
Please accept my sincere condolences on the loss of your mom/grandma. What a wonderful role model for her family. Take care.
Dear family,
It was fun being neighbors and attending St. Mary’s School together. Your mom was a very special lady. I especially liked working with her at St. Mary’s when she was secretary and I began my career as Speech Pathologist.
May she rest in peace. I feel so blessed to have known her.
Terri Honza
Sorry to hear of Lucille passing. She was a wonderful and sweet person. I would have not met her if it wasn’t for my mom Mary Jane taking good care of her over the many years in Lucille’s home. She will be miss dearly.
Mrs. Gaumer was a second mother to me. I learned so much from her stories and whit! Also, she was very great having shared the family chocolate cookie recipe with me. It gets rave reviews from everyone who has one.
So sorry for your family’s loss! Barbara Tennant
I love how we share the benefits of being nourished by the community extended thru Lucille’s kindness. It is a thing that we recognize and continues as part of the light in us.
Thank you, dearly Mrs. Gaumer.
I remember Mrs. Gaumer well. She was a kind and giving person. I grew up in the same neighborhood as the Gaumers and went to school with Barb. To Barb and the entire family: I wish you peace, comfort, and a feeling of God’s presence at this time.
Lucille was the most wonderful neighbor that anyone could have. She was full of light, and shined in the glory of her family! I learned many things from Lucille….the history of the neighborhood, and the skinny on City Council meetings for a few. A kind woman filled with joy and delight will be my best memory of her. Rest in Gods arms!
Our sincere condolences to the whole family during this difficult time. Larry and I fondly remember many of the Gaumer family as people in our neighborhood. Eventually many became our babysitters and playground helpers. We were so impressed how Lucille just doted over Keith and the children and taught them so many life skills while being involved with all their activities. She was such an inspiration and a truly a wonderful person.
What a sweet woman, and wonderful family. I remember them all as good people.
Purvis Family, we are very sorry for the loss of your mother and grandmother.
Dear Gaumer Family,
Your mom was a dear indeed! Her kindness and zeal continue to be an inspiration to each of us. We sure had a special and loving neighborhood. May the love and light of your mom/grandma continue to spread throughout every heart she touched.