Mary Etta Marquardt, 91, of Poughkeepsie, went home to God on Thursday, August 11, 2016 surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Salem, New Jersey, the second of five children, to Julia and Oakford Gandy, Sr. on August 12, 1925. After graduating from Woodstown High School, she went to work for the New Jersey Bell Telephone Company as a switchboard operator in Bridgeton, NJ. On September 12, 1946 she married her one and only love, Eugene Marquardt, who survives at home. They enjoyed 69 years of marriage and moved to Poughkeepsie in 1955 when Eugene began his career with IBM. During retirement, they spent many happy hours together traveling throughout the US and Canada in their camper.
Mary was a superb and talented homemaker and her greatest role in life was that of devoted wife and mother to their two children Donna and Bryan Marquardt (Karen) of Ulster Park, NY. She was a loving Grandma to Karen and Bryan’s two children Haylie and Bradley Marquardt (both of Ulster Park). Mary was an accomplished seamstress and loved making clothes for both her daughter and granddaughter and sewing beautiful holiday decorations for her home. As an expert baker and cook she provided homemade items and decorated cakes for family and friends. She also enjoyed bowling and golf. Mary was instrumental in forming a babysitting co-op in her neighborhood, a home bureau division, and organizing a group of women volunteers who provided parties for residents of the Hudson River Psychiatric Center . In addition she served as a school room Mom, Cub Scout and Brownie leader, dance recital Mom, hospital volunteer, YWCA board member, Meals on Wheels driver, as well as lending her assistance to many other charities. As a member of the Dutchess Garden Study Club, she devoted many hours to her gardens and adorned her home with plants and flowers. As a member of St. Martin De Porres Catholic Church, Mary served on the Altar Guild, as a bingo volunteer, and in many other capacities.
In addition to her immediate family listed above, she is survived by her sister Elizabeth Hitchner, her brother Oakford Gandy, Jr. (Jane), and her sister in law Carol Gandy, as well as many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, her sister Millicent ,her brother Russell Gandy, and her niece Mary Hitchner.
The family wishes to thank the entire staff of Wingate at Dutchess, especially the Vanderbilt Unit, for their love and care of Mary during the last two years of her life.
Calling hours are Monday August 15th, from 6-8 pm at the Timothy P. Doyle Funeral Home, 371 Hooker Avenue, Poughkeepsie, NY. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at the Church of St. Martin De Porres, 118 Cedar Valley Road, Poughkeepsie, NY, on Tuesday August 16th, at 10 am. Interment to follow at Calvary Cemetery, 62 Lagrange Ave, Poughkeepsie, NY. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the veterans charity, Fisher House Foundation, online at fisherhouse.org