Mary Virginia Wade Dembowski

Mary Virginia Wade Dembowski entered into eternal life on Sunday, February 1, 2015 at the age of 93 years.

Born September 21, 1921 in DeWitt Township, Clinton County, Michigan, she was the eighth of nine children born to John Alonzo and Faydette Avery Wade and was the final survivor of the Wade siblings.

She grew up on a truck farm in Michigan and graduated from Eastern High School in Lansing, Michigan where she lettered in Swimming and Badminton. In April 1941, she married Joseph "Joe" John Dembowski and they shared 40 years before Joe passed in December 1981. Joe was in the Army Air Force when they were transferred to Warner Robins Air Field in March 1946. She described Warner Robins as a virtual frontier town when they moved there after WWII.

After serving in the Army occupation in Japan, Joe was discharged, and he and Mary decided to make Warner Robins their permanent home. They both were pioneers of the community and Sacred Heart Catholic Church. She and Joe reared their six children and contributed to the well-being of the Warner Robins community, giving generously of their time and talent for the betterment of all its citizens.

As a Girl Scout leader for 32 years, Mary empowered numerous girls and fellow adult volunteers to be all they could be and to do their best. Mary shared her philosophy of life with all of her scouts, which was: "Can't never could!" and "You can do anything you really want to do" and would then help them find ways to achieve those goals.

As an American Red Cross swimming instructor, starting at the old Dormitory pool, and continuing through more than 38 years, Mary taught more than three generations of locals how to swim. She was the first Director of the Water Safety program for the Recreation Department of the City of Warner Robins.

For several years, Mary ran the Civilian Welfare office, quietly assisting those in emergency situations to find available resources in their time of need. Seeing a need for a local chapter of the Red Cross, she organized a committee in 1969 and worked to get a local Red Cross chapter formed in Warner Robins.

Having been touched by cancer through family members, Mary was active in the American Cancer Society and served for many years on the local and state boards and as an instructor. She served as mass media chairman, chairman of the early treatment education, public education chairman, and became chairman of the board in 1973.

After many years serving as an election judge, Mary served the Houston County for five years on the Board of Election Commissioners; as well as serving as Chairman of the Board for three (3) years. Mary also served as Secretary of the Stadium Commission to build McConnell-Talbert Stadium.

Mary loved to dance and got much joy from performing as a member of Robins Rockettes Senior Dance Troupe in their numerous performances at events around the middle Georgia area and in nursing homes.

She was a charter member of the Warner Robins Pioneers (for those who settled in Warner Robins before 1950). Mary was active in the Warner Robins Senior Citizens Club and served several terms as its President and as Treasurer.

Mary taught English as a Second Language, tutoring in a one-on-one environment. She was also an American Literacy Council volunteer. She had a long-time personal ministry of visiting people in nursing homes.

Active in her faith community at Sacred Heart, Mary was a member and President of the Parish Council and has served on the Bishops' Pastoral Council with two different bishops. Mary belonged to DCCW (Diocesan Council of Catholic Women) and served on local, deanery, and diocesan level offices since 1946.

Mary was honored over the years with several prestigious awards including: Service to Humanity Medal by the American Red Cross 1959; Volunteer of the Year by the American Cancer Society 1966; Mother of the Year 1968 by the Warner Robins Women's Club; Valiant Woman Award from Church Women United (an interfaith Organization) 1976; Woman of the Year 1986 by the Council of Catholic Women; and the DIANA (Distinguished International Academy of Noble Achievement) Award in 1975 from Epsilon Sigma Alpha International for exceptional service to humanity.

Mary lived her life with a passion for others and an innate curiosity about the world around her. Her true calling was being a devoted wife and dedicated mother to her six children. Along the way, she never met a stranger and had the unique ability to be a genuine friend to all she met. Her ever-present energy and ability to brighten a room will truly be missed but never forgotten.

She is survived by six children, Rosalie Sugrue, Carolyn Dembowski, and John Dembowski (Vanessa) of Warner Robins, Jim Dembowski (Leigh) of Norman, Oklahoma, Mary Ann Johnson (Larry) of San Antonio, Texas, and Joan Pottinger of Columbia, Missouri; 14 grandchildren, Jed Dembowski (Mandy) of Norman, Oklahoma, Anna Moore (Joel) of Buckeye, Arizona, Kevin Johnson of Laurel, Maryland, Karen Baker (Chris) of Fairfax, Virginia, Hardy Pottinger (Debbie Rodman), Anastasia Pottinger (Linda Vandepopuliere) of Columbia, Missouri, Wade Pottinger (Eileen) of Culver City, California, Ginger Trimbach (John) of Reno, Nevada, Kerry Sugrue-Self of Warner Robins, Thomas Sugrue (Jenny) of Macon, Georgia, Rachel Sugrue of Savannah, Georgia, Scott Cauley (Heather) of Powhatten, Virginia, Billy Cauley (Kristy) of Gray, Georgia, and Brandi Collier (Brad) of Warner Robins, 20 great grandchildren and 1 great-great granddaughter.

A Rosary will be said on Wednesday, February 4, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. at McCullough Funeral Home with visitation following until 8:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, February 5, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with a Committal Service following in Magnolia Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to one of the following charities: Alzheimer's Association, NAMI of Central Georgia, American Cancer Society, American Red Cross, American Literacy Council, Sacred Heart Church Building Fund, or a charity of your choosing.

If you want to remember Mary, do an act of kindness, give a welcoming smile to a stranger, reach out to someone who needs encouragement, visit a shut-in, compliment someone, or give out heartfelt hugs to everyone you encounter.


Funeral Home:
McCullough Funeral Home
417 S. Houston Lake Rd.
Warner Robins, GA
US 31088