Mary Mae Carey

Mary Mae Carey lived her 92 years like a well-loved hymn—soft and steady in some verses, bright and joyful in others, but always anchored in faith. She passed away peacefully on June 15, 2025, surrounded by the love she spent a lifetime giving away. She was born on April 13, 1933, in Berne, IN, to Mearle and Gladys Chrisman. Her mother and loving grandparents, Jacob and Mary Schindler, raised her in the Christian faith and love. From her earliest days, music and devotion ran through her like a current—strong, steady, unmistakable.

At Fort Wayne Bible College, Mary met Jerry D. Carey, and together, they built a life—layered with laughter, prayer, music, and memory. Their love became a home. Their home became a legacy. And at the heart of it all were two daughters, Merry Lynne and Jerri Lou, whom Mary devoted herself to raising with strong values, deep compassion, and enduring faith.

Mary’s hands were rarely still. As a young girl, she learned to play the violin, later mastering the piano and organ—instruments that would accompany her throughout her life. As a teenager, those same hands held reins—guiding quarter horses through competitions in Fort Wayne, IN. Later, those hands brushed the manes of Shetland ponies and, with Jerry, helped their girls saddle up themselves. In doing so, they passed on more than just a love of horses—they passed on a love for caring, for patience, and for the quiet joy that comes from making memories together.

As an educator, her hands would turn the pages of early readers, tie untied shoes, and trace the arcs of chalk letters on blackboards. Mary spent much of her career as the first-grade teacher in Hutsonville, IL, where her classroom was a sanctuary of gentleness and belonging. She taught small hearts to read and count, but more than that, she helped them feel seen—guiding them with the same calm, steady presence she brought to every space she entered.

Later in her career, Mary returned to her first love—music. As the K–12 music teacher, she filled school hallways with melody and joy. Whether leading a child through the sounds of a scale or the syllables of a sentence, Mary taught with grace, with intention, and with a heart that never stopped giving.

Mary’s influence extended beyond the walls of her classroom. A gifted writer, Mary wrote a weekly column entitled Scenes from the Kitchen, which appeared in the Robinson Daily News and, later, the Robinson Argus. Through recipes and reflections, she invited readers into her home and heart—offering not just cooking advice, but stories and encouragement as well. She also authored the Lincoln Trail College Alma Mater, a tribute to the school her husband helped bring to life.

She worked with the American Youth Symphony and Chorus for three years, eventually touring Europe—an experience that opened a new door. Alongside Jerry, she began organizing educational trips that would span continents and decades—Europe, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Hawaii, and Alaska. What started with students grew to include adults as they helped others see the world through eyes of wonder and understanding.

But even more than that, Mary and Jerry helped others see Jesus.

She and Jerry reflected the heart of Christ in how they served each other, how they raised their family, and how they gave themselves to their church and community. She served for many years as the church organist at Hutsonville United Methodist Church, offering her music as an act of worship. But worship was never limited to Sunday mornings. Mary was the prayer warrior of her family—on her knees every morning, lifting up the names of her loved ones, daily placing her trust in a God who hears.

Her faith was not simply something she believed; it was the way she lived. A verse close to her heart was Philippians 1:21: “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” And because of this, we don’t say goodbye without hope. We know where she is—where her heart has always been: with Jesus.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry, and her parents, Mearle and Gladys.

She is survived by her daughters, Merry Lynne and husband Harold Garrard, and Jerri Lou and husband Tom Titsworth; and by her grandchildren: Stefan Garrard and wife Jessica, Eli Garrard, Peter Garrard, Jonathan Titsworth and wife Tara, and Shelby and husband Kevin Morgan. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren: Ethan Garrard and Alistair, Melody Mae, Leeland, and Joanna Titsworth.

The family is deeply grateful for the outstanding care shown by Brookstone Estates, where Mary lived for the past 11 years, as well as Carle Clinic Home Health Care, Good Samaritan Hospice, and the caregivers who sat beside her day and night.

Visitation will be held from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 22nd, at Highland Avenue Baptist Church in Robinson, IL, with a funeral service beginning at 3:30 p.m., officiated by Pastor Dwight McDaniel. Burial will follow in the Hutsonville Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to John Schindler Ministries—Mary’s cousin, whose parents served as missionaries to Liberia—or to Samaritan’s Purse, a ministry close to Mary’s heart. Memorial envelopes will be available at the church. The Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson is assisting the family with these arrangements.