Obituary for Mary Sue Petticrew (Bucher)
Mary Sue Petticrew, 82, of Oklahoma City, passed away on Monday, January 16, 2023, surrounded by her loving family.
Mary Sue was born on March 30, 1940, to Eleanor Elizabeth and E. Wayne Bucher in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1958. She then graduated from Western Michigan University and received her B.S. degree and Teaching Certification in 1962. She moved to Skokie, Illinois, and began teaching at Park View Elementary School in Morton Grove. After teaching there for three years, she traveled to Germany and taught in Kassel, Germany, for the United States Army dependents. It was there that she met the love of her life, Richard (Rick) W. Petticrew.
They were married on August 27, 1966, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. They moved to Alsip, Illinois, where she taught school for two years while Rick was earning his M.B.A. at The University of Chicago. They settled in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in 1968, and remained there ever since. In the 1970’s and 80’s, Mary Sue dedicated herself to raising her 3 children. In her free time, she enjoyed modeling for a local agency and was a member of Junior Hospitality. She returned to teaching in the Putnam City school district in the 1990’s. Mary Sue had a passion for teaching and love for her students, which was evident when she was awarded ‘Teacher of the Year’. After retiring from teaching, Mary Sue found enjoyment working (and shopping) with her fellow Boutique ladies at Stein Mart. She often joked that she never actually took home a paycheck. Mary Sue was an incredibly caring friend. She could make friends with anyone. She always enjoyed an active social life. She was a very loyal member of P.E.O. Chapter EH for over 50 years, and more recently joined Esther Women at St. Luke’s. For many years she and Rick enjoyed dancing the night away with the Mayfair Dance Club. She also found much happiness tending to her garden and watching the birds as they visited her birdbaths.
Mary Sue loved to travel. She reached an incredible milestone in 2018, having visited all seven continents of the world.
Of all the things Mary Sue did in life, her greatest enjoyment came from spending time with her family. She was a loving, thoughtful, and devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. If you were blessed to have Mary Sue in your life, she always made you feel like you were the most special and important person to her. That was her gift.
Mary Sue is survived by her husband of 56 years, Richard W. Petticrew; children, Mindy Sue (George) Rojas of Flower Mound, TX, Richard W. Petticrew (Shawn Franks) of Edmond, OK, and Emily Sue (Dustin) Orrick of Austin, TX; grandchildren: Lynzi and Jackson Rojas; Miles Orrick, as well as beloved nieces, nephews, and dear friends. She is predeceased by both her parents and sister Nancy (James) Cobb of Elkhart, IN.
The family is thankful for the life we shared and the unforgettable memories we have made with our mom, Mary Sue. All our lives are richer and fuller because of her. We truly appreciate your heartfelt love and prayers during this time of remembrance.
For those who desire, memorials may be made to the following organizations that were special to Mary Sue. The National Audubon Society (Audubon.org), Kid Wish Network (www.kidswishnetwork.org), Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (www.lls.org)
Mary Sue was born on March 30, 1940, to Eleanor Elizabeth and E. Wayne Bucher in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1958. She then graduated from Western Michigan University and received her B.S. degree and Teaching Certification in 1962. She moved to Skokie, Illinois, and began teaching at Park View Elementary School in Morton Grove. After teaching there for three years, she traveled to Germany and taught in Kassel, Germany, for the United States Army dependents. It was there that she met the love of her life, Richard (Rick) W. Petticrew.
They were married on August 27, 1966, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. They moved to Alsip, Illinois, where she taught school for two years while Rick was earning his M.B.A. at The University of Chicago. They settled in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in 1968, and remained there ever since. In the 1970’s and 80’s, Mary Sue dedicated herself to raising her 3 children. In her free time, she enjoyed modeling for a local agency and was a member of Junior Hospitality. She returned to teaching in the Putnam City school district in the 1990’s. Mary Sue had a passion for teaching and love for her students, which was evident when she was awarded ‘Teacher of the Year’. After retiring from teaching, Mary Sue found enjoyment working (and shopping) with her fellow Boutique ladies at Stein Mart. She often joked that she never actually took home a paycheck. Mary Sue was an incredibly caring friend. She could make friends with anyone. She always enjoyed an active social life. She was a very loyal member of P.E.O. Chapter EH for over 50 years, and more recently joined Esther Women at St. Luke’s. For many years she and Rick enjoyed dancing the night away with the Mayfair Dance Club. She also found much happiness tending to her garden and watching the birds as they visited her birdbaths.
Mary Sue loved to travel. She reached an incredible milestone in 2018, having visited all seven continents of the world.
Of all the things Mary Sue did in life, her greatest enjoyment came from spending time with her family. She was a loving, thoughtful, and devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. If you were blessed to have Mary Sue in your life, she always made you feel like you were the most special and important person to her. That was her gift.
Mary Sue is survived by her husband of 56 years, Richard W. Petticrew; children, Mindy Sue (George) Rojas of Flower Mound, TX, Richard W. Petticrew (Shawn Franks) of Edmond, OK, and Emily Sue (Dustin) Orrick of Austin, TX; grandchildren: Lynzi and Jackson Rojas; Miles Orrick, as well as beloved nieces, nephews, and dear friends. She is predeceased by both her parents and sister Nancy (James) Cobb of Elkhart, IN.
The family is thankful for the life we shared and the unforgettable memories we have made with our mom, Mary Sue. All our lives are richer and fuller because of her. We truly appreciate your heartfelt love and prayers during this time of remembrance.
For those who desire, memorials may be made to the following organizations that were special to Mary Sue. The National Audubon Society (Audubon.org), Kid Wish Network (www.kidswishnetwork.org), Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (www.lls.org)