Mary Rohrer

Mary Elaine Rohrer (70) of Lee’s Summit, Mo., passed away on December 27, 2009. Mary was born October 2, 1939, to Edward and Effie Coppo in Calumet, Michigan. The oldest of five, it was there that she formed strong relationships with her brothers and sister. Surviving is her sister Sandra (Jack) Massoglia and her brother Robert (Theresa) Coppo, both of Michigan. Those that passed before her were her parents and her two youngest brothers, Patrick (Vietnam) and James Coppo (Sandra). After high school Mary completed a nursing program. Her career in psychiatric nursing began at the VA hospital in Danville, Illinois. It was during her time in Illinois that she married her one true love, Jimmy (Butch) Rohrer, and together they forged a family. In 1978, they moved to the Kansas City area. Her love of family carries on through her three children – Janet, Michael, and Butch. Her daughter Janet Pennington (John) has three children – Amy Phillips, Aaron Phillips, and Andrew Pennington. Her son Michael Costelic resides in Illinois with his wife Judy and their daughter Haley Costelic. Her youngest child, James (Butch) Rohrer, and his wife Lori are in Kansas City with their children Josh and Megan. Mary has four great grandchildren: Madisyn Costelic, and Ryan, Grady and Owen Phillips. Mary is known for her great love and devotion to family and friends. Whether it be a shoulder to cry on or an answer to a crossword puzzle, she was always there. Her time spent with people was her most valued possession. The confidence that she carried herself with made it easy for one to forget that she was legally blind. Following her husband Jim’s passing in 2005, Mary relocated to Wilshire Hills in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. She forged many good friendships with her neighbors there. Mary will always be remembered for putting others first. She had commented that when her time was up, she wanted to go quickly. However, upon having the stroke that took her life, she unselfishly held on long enough to allow family to gather around her so as to allow each one of them to say a proper goodbye and come to terms with her passing. As per Mary’s request, there will be no memorial service. Only a small gathering of family to scatter her ashes. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation be made to The Kansas Eye Bank and Cornea Research Center. Donations may be made online to kansaseyebank.org