Mary Harwood's Obituary
Mary Harwood (Renftle) passed away peacefully on January 20, 2025, with family at her side. She is survived by her children Brigitte (Stanley) Gabriel, Gretchen (Matt) McNally, Tara Harwood, and Michael Harwood, her two grandchildren Katie and Grant, her sister Geraldine (Robert) Pascute, brother Edward Renftle, nephew Lucas (Xaimara) Pascute and niece Jill (Josh) Carpenter.
Mary was born to Mr. and Mrs. Edward Paul and Clara (Quinby) Renftle in Warren, Ohio and attended John F. Kennedy High School. She graduated in 1967 then moved to the Cleveland area. She lived in North Ridgeville for the last forty-five years.
Mary was employed by the North Olmsted Police Department for over twenty-five years as a clerical worker. She loved the job and her co-workers. In fact, she retired at one point in 2020 for approximately eight months but missed it so much she came back to work part-time! She was still employed at the time of her passing.
Anyone who knew Mary, however, knew that her true love was dancing and fitness! She started her own business, Fun & Fitness, in the 1980’s. Eventually she started teaching country line dancing at local recreation centers (Westlake, Berea, Strongsville, etc.) and was still scheduled to teach six classes a week at the time that her illness began. Amazing at any age, but really amazing for being seventy-five! She was energetic, feisty, and loved by many. And boy oh boy could she dance! She also used her fitness and dance classes to raise money for several wonderful local causes such as the Wayside Home, Laura’s House, and others too numerous to list. Mary also loved Bullmastiffs, reading, and completing puzzles in her spare time.
Mary did not want people to be sad at her passing but instead asked that we celebrate her life. Although her illness and passing came unexpectedly to all of us, in retrospect it was what she would have wanted. She hated sitting still! She did what she loved into the last month of her life and had a chance to tell everyone that she loved them. Her last wish was one more big party in her honor, which will be held on Saturday, March 22, 2025, from 12-2:00 PM at Springvale Ballroom in North Olmsted.
What’s your fondest memory of Mary?
What’s a lesson you learned from Mary?
Share a story where Mary's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Mary you’ll never forget.
How did Mary make you smile?