Obituary of Mary Garlitz

Mary Gertrude "Trudy" Griffith Garlitz, 92, of Masontown, passed away Friday, November 6, 2009 at Preston Memorial Hospital in Kingwood with her loving family by her side. She was born on February 24, 1917, in Howesville, a daughter of the late Julius and Lucinda Richards Greaser. She was a wonderful homemaker, baker, and cook. She was a master gardener and her flowers always looked beautiful. Trudy was a very spiritual person and had attended the Catholic Churches in Preston County for most of her life. She was a member of St. Zita Catholic Church in Masontown. After her first husband passed away at an early age, she was faced with raising her four children by herself, of which she did an outstanding job. She is survived by two daughters; Rosemary Mendzela and husband Mac, Helen Clingerman, two sons; John Griffith and wife Terri, Rick Griffith and wife Pat; grandchildren include Eric Mendzela and wife Amy, Don Clingerman Jr., Mark Clingerman, Mike Clingerman and wife Robin, Erica Griffith, Sean Griffith and wife Erica, Patrick Griffith, Shauna Griffith, Amber Griffith, and Derrick Griffith. Great grandchildren are Taylor, Avery, and Paige Mendzela, Sidney and Logan Clingerman, and Kadin Higgins. She is also survived by two brothers, Martin Greaser and Elmer Greaser. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her first husband Oscar Ray "Friday" Griffith and her second husband Percy Garlitz; sisters, Martha Bolyard-Morrow, Veronica Dow, Agnes Smith, Rita Fletcher; brothers, Paul Greaser, Leo Greaser; and a son in law, Donald Clingerman Sr. Friends may call at the Field Funeral Home in Masontown on Monday November 9, 2009 from 6 to 8 p.m. and on Tuesday November 10, 2009 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday November 11, 2009 at St. Zita Catholic Church in Masontown with the Very Rev. Fr. Mark E. Ward C.P., V.F. as celebrant. A prayer vigil will be held Tuesday November 10 at 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Church Cemetery, Howesville, WV. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the Preston County Meals on Wheels, Kingwood, WV. The family would like to thank Preston Memorial Hospital and Heartland of Preston County for their wonderful care.