Mary Eleanor Kocevar

Mary Eleanor Kocevar, 93, of Mentor, formerly of Lyndhurst, passed away December 23, 2024 at Mt. St. Joseph Rehab Center. She was born February 21, 1931 in Cleveland, to the late William and Gertrude Raper. Mary was a dedicated educator at the junior high and college levels in the fields of History, English and Speech for over 40 years. She was also involved in many after school activities such as Student Council and Safety Patrol, but her favorite was the student theatrical and musical productions she staged at St. Clare in Lyndhurst and St. Mary's in Mentor. She was an avid reader her entire life and always managed to learn something new from everything she read. Mary spent many hours in support of youth sports as her children played in the Lyndhurst baseball and softball leagues. She then went on to become a fan of basketball, soccer and hockey as her grandchildren explored new activities. Her own athletic passion was golf as a founding member of Orchard Hills Golf Club. She also played competitive bridge and took home a few trophies in each area. As an alumna of Notre Dame Academy '48 and College '52, she remained active in their Alumnae Association where she served as president. She also donated her daughter, Maggie's, Holocaust research to found the Tolerance Resource Center at Notre Dame College, where Maggie was also an alum. But most importantly, she was Mom, Nannie, Gram, G. Gram and "Eek" to her family and friends, and Mrs. Kocevar to her thousands of former students. Survivors include her children, Sarah Strang, William (Angela) Kocevar, Kathryn E. Kocevar (Jackie Scott), and Julie (David) DeVries; grandchildren, Elizabeth (Robert) Choromanski, Daniel Kocevar, Kevin Strang, Patrick (fiancée, Olivia Young) Strang, Michael DeVries, Joseph (Kara) DeVries, and Robert DeVries; great-grandchildren Taylor, Ryan, Annalise, and Madilynnn, and many other loving family members and friends. Preceding Mary in death are her daughter, Margaret Kocevar and brother, William Raper. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 30, 2024, at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 8460 Mentor Ave., Mentor, Ohio 44060. A funeral mass will begin at 11:00 a.m. at the church. A private family graveside service in Calvary Cemetery, Cleveland, will be held at a later time. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of Notre Dame, USA, 13000 Auburn Rd, Chardon, Ohio 44024 and their website www.sndusa.org or Mt. St. Joseph Rehab Center, 21800 Chardon Rd., Euclid, Ohio 44117 and their website https://mountstjoseph.net/donate/ Arrangements entrusted to the Brunner Sanden Deitrick Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 8466 Mentor Ave., Mentor, Ohio 44060. Offer condolences at www.brunners.com

Mary Eleanor Kocevar

February 21, 1931 - December 23, 2024