Obituary of Mary Rowcliffe
Elba - Mary Rowcliffe, age 52, of Elba, passed away on Friday afternoon peacefully at home with her beloved dogs by her side after a courageous five year battle with cancer.
She was born September 30, 1965 in Batavia, to the late James Tibbs and Elaine Winters Tibbs of Batavia.
Mary, “Dietze”, will be remembered for her passion of helping others, her outspoken personality, and the immense love she had for her family and friends. Dietze devoted her life to caring for disabled children at the New York State School for the Blind, and even after she fell ill she worked until the end making these children feel special. All 52 of her years were filled with so much life, but she lived life to the fullest the last 28 years with her soulmate and partner in crime, Garth Rowcliffe.
Dietze is preceded in death by her father, James Tibbs, father-in-law, Don Rowcliffe and brother-in-law, Robert Dempsey.
Surviving along with her husband is her mother, Elaine Tibbs; her loving siblings, who referred to themselves as the “circle of 6” because they often relied on each other to get through hard times, Margaret "Daud" (late Robert) Dempsey, Betsy (Mike) Royal, Jimmy (Kim) Tibbs, Richie (Cathy) Tibbs and Tom (Lisa) Tibbs. She is also survived by her three daughters whom she was so proud of, Meghan (Andrew) Brown, Alexandra (Adam) Harrington and Ryleigh (Garth) Hinkson; her mother-in-law, Carol Ann Rowcliffe; brothers and sisters-in-law; Tim (Sandy) Rowcliffe, Lorie (Mike) Cleveland, Jule (Jack) Dolan, Dana (Alice) Rowcliffe and Kate (Jim) Worrington. Dietze is also survived by one grandson and many nieces, nephews, cousins and three special friends, Cathy Sawyer, Carol Pangrazio and Beth Walsh.
Family and friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Bohm-Calarco-Smith Funeral Home, 308 East Main Street, Batavia. Her Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. at St. Joseph's Church, 303 East Main Street, Batavia by Fr. Thaddeus Bocianowski. She will be laid to rest in St. Joseph's Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, Dietze’s family wishes friends to donate to The Office of Gift & Donor Records, P.O. Box 270032, Rochester, New York 14627. In the memo line, please specify Wilmont Cancer Lung Research. To leave a condolence, share a story or light a candle, please visit www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.