Mary Booker (nee Betscher) passed away peacefully on May 25, 2023, surrounded by her children. Born on May 26,1944, to George and Margaret Betscher, Mary grew up on a beautiful farm in Mt. Carmel, Indiana.
Mary is survived by her two children, Ann (Derek) Scranton and Chris Booker, her sister Judy (Al) Schneider, her sister-in-law Margaret (Jim) Betscher, her grandchildren, Jake and Cole Booker, Adam and Abby Scranton, and her many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Jim Betscher.
Mary was a graduate of Whitewater High School and earned a Bachelor of Technology and a Masters in Environmental Management at the University of Idaho. She was a member of the American Society of Safety Engineers, American Society for Training and Development and the Geological Society of America.
Mary dedicated her career as a health and safety engineer to ensuring the safety of the people she worked with and the community at large. Her work frequently took her away from home to locations like Johnston Atoll in the South Pacific, Idaho, South Carolina, Alabama, Dubai and Russia. She also served as part of the Kosovo Peacekeeping Mission in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and during her career she was awarded the Commander’s Medal for service at four different military base installations. She celebrated five years of service with Honda Manufacturing in Greensburg, Indiana, this year, where she had many dear friends and colleagues.
Mary fulfilled a life-long dream when she moved home to Indiana and bought a home with acreage in the town of Morris. She quickly filled the house with her artwork, the art she collected in her travels, and two adored little dogs, Charlie and Mikey. Her home was a gathering place, and many memories were made eating meals, playing cards, watching movies and putting puzzles together with her family.
Family and friends are invited to celebrate Mary’s life by attending an open house gallery exhibit of her artwork and the art and artifacts she collected throughout her lifetime, on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, between 1 and 4 p.m. at the Ancient Sculpture Museum at Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum, 1763 Hamilton Cleves Road, Hamilton, Ohio, 45013.
Brater Winter Funeral Homes.