Mary E. Fry (McDonald) Szeles

Mary Elizabeth “Bettie” McDonald Fry Szeles, age 98, of Kannapolis, NC formerly
of Summerdale PA, passed away while receiving long term care at Five Oaks
Manor in Concord NC on April 27, 2022.
Mary was born September 8, 1923 in Perry Co. PA, a daughter of the late Robert
C. and Myrtle Bell McDonald. She was one of eight children. In addition to her
parents, Mary was preceded in death by her sisters; Pauline Bollinger, Marjorie
Elsasser, Jean Simmons, Shirley Sarver and a brother, Robert McDonald.
At the age of 23, she married Raymond C. Fry and had two sons, Raymond Lynn
and Carlton Darwin (died at birth). Raymond C. passed away in 1986 after 40
years of marriage. She later married John A. Szeles and toured the United States,
especially enjoying the southwest American Indian culture. John passed away in
2011 after twenty years of marriage.
Mary was raised on a farm outside of Millerstown, Perry County, PA; then worked
in the garment industry for thirty-one years and for several years at Miller’s
Greenhouses, Marysville PA. She was widely known as an excellent seamstress
but also enjoyed gardening, ceramics, doll collecting, wooden craft projects,
needlepoint, crocheting and, as a self-taught artist, painted many pictures which
she sold or shared with family and friends. Mary is survived by her son Raymond
Fry (Jill) of Concord, NC; grandchildren – Jennifer, Rebekah and Amanda; great-
grandchildren - Benjamin, Andrew, Adam, Molly and Logan; her sister, Carol
Elsasser and her brother Richard McDonald (Kay).
Services will be private with burial in Riverview Cemetery, Millerstown.
In lieu of flowers, memorial remembrances can be made in Mary’s name to St.
Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 6839 Wertzville Rd. Enola, PA. 17025

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