Mary was raised in a devout Roman Catholic, European family, 1 of 9 siblings, on a tobacco farm. Although a very insecure teenager, she graduated as a Registered Nurse and enjoyed working at the local hospital for 7 months. She married another devout Roman Catholic, a tobacco farmer, and loved working on the farm. Five years and 3 children later, her marriage began to crumble and Mary tried to ease her pain with alcohol abuse, finally separating with her husband after 13 years of marriage.

She started to nurse again, at a nursing home where a co-worker befriended her and within 4 months, Mary became a Christian. On Nov. 30, 1985, after working a night shift, she knelt by her bed, said “the prayer”, and went to sleep. When she woke up, there was something different; it was an inner joy that she have cherished ever since. Alcohol abuse disappeared immediately.

God has been very good and Mary received ministry and healing into the wounds of her past. She’s been active in ministry at Tillsonburg Alliance Church (in Sunday School, Missions committee, Small groups, Alpha) and had the privilege of making 5 short term mission trips, 3 to Ecuador, 1 to India, and 1 to China, along with family trips to Belgium and China. She most recently was involved in S.T.M. training at the district level.

Mary has a burden for the lost where there is little opportunity to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She currently serves Indonesia in Compassion Ministry.