Mary DeEtta Bachleda

BACHLEDA, MARY Portage, MI Mrs. Mary DeEtta Bachleda, age 77 of Portage, MI passed away at home on July 30th, 2012. She was born April 9th, 1935 in Amsterdam, New York, the daughter of Herbert and Margaret Kane Underwood. She met and then married Edward J. Bachleda in Schenectady, New York September 6th, 1958. Mary and Ed have been residents of Portage, MI for 52 years. Mary was the loving mother of Tim Anne Bachleda of Portage, Dan Laurie Bachleda of Naperville, IL, Korie Bachleda of Three Rivers, Maggie David Boyea of Amherst, NH, and the late Dave Bachleda of Neenah, WI. She was the devoted grandmother of Lauren, Michael, Tim, and Bethany Bachleda and Madeleine, Kate, and Grace Boyea. Mary was a fantastic wife and mother and loved her grandchildren with all of her heart. She loved to bake and decorate cakes and to creatively celebrate the many milestones of life. She ensured ALL of the holidays were celebrated from St. Patrick's Day to Christmas. Her planned family outings and reunions created many cherished memories for family and close friends. Mary was a member of St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Portage. She was devoted to her faith. Mary and Ed experienced PreCat that helped form her connection with service with the church. She spent many years teaching and directing religious education programs at St. Catherine's with the "team", including the first Bible School. She was a member of the original "Just Faith" program and because of that experience she started the Equal Exchange Fair Trade program a part of the social justice mission. She went on to create and organize the "Marketplace" an annual not-for-profit fair trade event that has continued for 9 years and has been incredibly successful. She was responsible for the development and opening the American Cancer Society's Discovery Shop located on West Main in Kalamazoo as well as the inception of the annual baby shower fundraiser for Catholic Family Services/Caring Network. Mary also spent many years in retail management at Naked Furniture and Hodgson's Light and Log adding a caring and personal touch to relationships with employees and customers alike. Fair Trade and social justice was her life. She was passionate and full of respect for those who benefited from her work. She loved all the volunteers who helped to make her many missions successful and so appreciated all the time and energy they gave. Mary will be dearly missed by Ed her husband of 54 years and all of her children and grandchildren. The torch for sharing and giving with her enthusiasm is now passed on to all whose lives have been touched by hers. A celebration of her life will take place at St. Catherine of Siena Parish, 1150 West Centre Avenue, Portage on Friday, August 3. There will be a visitation, with her family at 10am preceding the celebration which will begin at 11am followed by a luncheon. a�" all are invited. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Peace House, 321 Phelps Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI 49048, 269-492-1206 or Open Door Next Door, P.O. Box 50102, Kalamazoo, MI 49005, 269-343-6064.