Mary Lester

BESSEMER, Mich. – Mary Lester, 101, a longtime resident of Bessemer, passed away Sunday, March 15, 2015. 

The former Mary Rose Kott was born on Jan. 31, 1914, in Ramsay, daughter of the late Theodore and Mary (Pospeck) Kott.

The Kott family moved to Raber in 1920, where Mary's father with her uncle Peter Kott, established the Kott Brothers General Mercantile store. Mary's father continued his partnership in the store for four years before returning to Ramsay in 1924.

In 1925, Mary's family moved to Bessemer, where Mary attended the Catholic School and then attended A.D. Johnston High School, graduating in 1931.

Mary moved to Chicago shortly after graduating high school and married Raymond Lester on July 3, 1934. They were blessed with two sons, Ted and John.

While living in Chicago, Mary worked for the Lund Coal Company as a secretary and as a sales representative for World Book Encyclopedia. Mary attended the Vogue Academy of Beauty Culture earning her certificate as a registered beauty culturist on May 4, 1964. Mary also served as the recording secretary for the city of Chicago Fire Department Women's Auxiliary.

When Raymond retired from the Chicago Fire Department in 1962, Mary and Raymond moved back to Bessemer. Here Mary developed and maintained a very large garden until her early eighties.

After Raymond passed away in 2001, Mary continued to maintain the family home. She also continued to keep close to family and friends out of state and to pass along jokes and items of interest to her many friends in the local area with her computer via e-mail.

Mary was a loving wife and mother. She was deeply loved by her late husband and family, and was a dear and caring friend to all of those who knew her. God granted Mary many years on this earth and obviously he had a purpose. Her long and active life touched so many and all in a most positive way. Her soft and gentle memory will be with us always.

Survivors include Mary's two sons and their wives, Ted and Joan Lester, Schiller Park, Ill., and John and JoAnn Lester, East Hanover, N.J .; four grandchildren, Renee Lester (Demetrius Owens), Columbus, Ohio, Paul (Lara) Lester, Chicago, John (Erica) Lester, Convent Station, N.J., and Janine (Peter) Bavoso, Berkeley Heights, N.J .; and five great-grandchildren, Daniel and Ana Lester Owens, both of Columbus, Jack and Julia Lester/Bavoso, both of Berkeley Heights, and Milan Lester, Convent Station. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, March 18, 2015, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 10 a.m., at St. Sebastian Catholic Church in Bessemer, with the Rev. Antony Lukka, celebrant.

Lunch will be served at Father Swoboda Hall at the church following the Mass.

Rite of Committal and interment will take place at a later date at Hillcrest Cemetery, Bessemer.

As a memorial tribute to Mary, contributions may be made in her name to St. Sebastian Catholic Church, 210 E. Iron St., Bessemer MI 49911.

Arrangements are under the direction of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., Wakefield, Jerald Rocco, owner-manager. Condolences may be sent online at lakesidememorialchapel.com.