Mary Ann (Ritter) Derschang

Mary Ann “ Mary” (Ritter) Derschang passed away unexpectedly at home March 23, 2021.  Mary Ann was born on April 28, 1947 in Elmira, NY to Thomas Ritter Jr. and Mary (Antenore) Ritter.  
Raised in Elmira with her four younger siblings, Mary Ann graduated from Elmira Free Academy in 1965.  After graduation, she moved to Syracuse and worked for various manufacturing companies including Magnavox.  Mary Ann eventually went to work for Syracuse Plastics in Fayetteville where she met her future husband, Joseph Derschang.  Wanting to help others, she then changed careers and became a healthcare aide with Home Aides of Central NY and eventually with St. Camillus Health and Rehabilitation.  In her post career life, Mary Ann still wanted to help others and so she became a literacy volunteer with Literacy Volunteers of America and then a Foster Grandparent with the ESM and Syracuse City School Districts.  She especially loved working with children and was always looking to help those children with the most needs.  
Beyond her work and volunteer pursuits, Mary Ann was a devout Catholic and long-time parishioner at Holy Cross Church in DeWitt.  She loved the Lord and her family, especially her two Grandchildren. She also greatly enjoyed Country and Bluegrass music, arts and crafts and her monthly lunch gatherings with her coffee clutch ladies.  She will be missed by many and will never be forgotten for the faith and strength she had and caring and love she showed others.  

Mary Ann was predeceased by her parents (Thomas and Mary (Antenore) Ritter and her brother, Gerard Ritter.  She is survived by her son, William (Corry) Derschang; her grandchildren, Loralei and Jakob Derschang; her brothers, Josef (Toni) Ritter, and Thomas Ritter; her sister, Thomasene “Tina” Ritter and several cousins.  

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, March 29, 2021 at 11am at Holy Cross Church, 4112 East Genesee St. DeWitt, NY.  Interment at Woodlawn Cemetery, 800 Grant Boulevard, Syracuse, NY, will take place immediately following the Mass.  

In lieu of flowers, online contributions may be made in Mary Ann’s memory to the Make-A-Wish Foundation at wish.org.

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