Mary Catherine Duweling

Mary Catherine Duweling, 88, of El Cajon, CA, passed away in her sleep the morning of June 2, 2025 after several weeks in hospice care at Granite Hills Healthcare and Wellness Center.

Mary was born in Coldwater, Ohio on April 26, 1937 into a large Catholic family. Her parents, Albert and Rosina, would have twelve children in total with Mary falling in the middle. Mary spent her younger years in Ohio, attending Coldwater High School and graduating as a Registered Nurse from Good Samaritan College of Nursing in Cincinnati, Ohio. She married Donald A. Duweling on November 26,1958 with whom she shared six children. Mary was a supportive wife and loving mother with a gentle and patient demeanor who was fortunate to be mostly at home while raising her children, as well as holding a few part-time nursing jobs in hospitals and nursing homes. After divorce and mental illness challenged her in her 40's, Mary struggled for many years trying to get her footing. In 1980, she decided to get a new start, moving to the central coast of California with her younger children. Life was rough, but she persevered and battled through years of mental illness struggles and falling out of touch with family. Finally, with the right resources, proper diagnosis, therapy, medication, and most importantly the grace of God in answer to many prayers on her behalf, Mary overcame her battles and once again became her sweet self. She re-gained the ability to love and cherish the relationships with her children and their ever-growing families. Her children are forever grateful for all she taught them about tenacity and the value of uncompromising spirit and faith in the face of seeming insurmountable hardships. Memories of time spent playing cards or her favorite game of Yahtzee, or coloring with the grandchildren, or just relishing in all the activity going on around her at family reunions will always be treasured. As dementia trickled in over her last years, Mary remained a bright and cheerful friend to many at her memory care facility, drawing upon her nurse's training to care for others. Always being told how lovely and sweet "Miss Mary" is by the staff made her dementia more bearable for her family. The fact that she still recognized and engaged here and there with her family, was quick to smile and laughed easily, as well as her breaking out in song when an old favorite was played made those little moments a cherished testament of who she really was. Mary continued to smile and give to others until her last breath - may she rest in peace and may God smile upon her.

Mary is survived by her six children- Karen (Mike Cherol) Jordan of Sarasota, FL, Connie (Bill) Maginn of San Diego, CA, Linda (Rob) Kazarinoff of Boise, ID, Mike (Bekah) Duweling of Lincoln, NE, Dan (Monta) Duweling of Grants Pass, OR, and Melissa (Richard) Cota of Castle Rock, CO, as well as 22 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters, Patricia Beyke and Theresa (Bernie) Gero, and her youngest brother Joseph (Beverly) Sutter, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend a deep appreciation to the staff at Granite Hills Healthcare and Wellness Center in El Cajon, CA who provided care to Mary the past several years and to Mission Hospice Services of San Diego for their compassion and comfort over the past few weeks.

The immediate family will host a private memorial/celebration of life for Mary at a later date. In honor of her memory, they ask that you extend your hand in kindness to a stranger, take a long walk and enjoy the nature surrounding you, and give your children a hug - she would love that!