November 21, 2022, 86, Goldsboro –
Mary Catherine McDonald Schultheis, 86, peacefully passed away on Monday, November 21, 2022, at her home. Born in Frostburg, Maryland on July 25, 1936, she was the daughter of the late John F. and Catherine Rafferty McDonald.
In addition to her parents, Mary Catherine was preceded in death by her husband, SMSgt James Robert Schultheis; sister, Doris Hare; and brother, Francis McDonald.
Mary Catherine is survived by her sister, Bridget McDonald; her children and their spouses, Jimmy and Robin Schultheis, John and Brenda Schultheis, Karen and Bobby Baker, Kathleen Schultheis, Gerald, and Susan Schultheis, and Kristi and Bill O’Hara; her grandchildren, Evan Schultheis, Calvin Schultheis, Sabrina Anderson, Sara, and Tobias Ruhl, Alison Baker, Meredith, and Corey Batchelor, Lukas Baker, Katti-Anne and Paul Thomas, Neal O’Hara, Michael O’Hara, and Joseph O’Hara; and her Great-Grandchildren, Kelby, Bryson, Mila, Wesley, Claire, Kamryn, Elora, Branna, Brandon, and Haleigh. She is also survived by her brother-in-law Robert Hare, and her sisters-in-law RaeAnn, Patricia, and Marilyn Schultheis, and several nieces and nephews.
Devout in her faith, Mary Catherine was a lifelong Catholic and served her Lord in both her personal and professional life. As the religious education coordinator for the St. Michael’s Catholic Church at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, she contributed to the furthering of knowledge of the Catholic faith to many who passed through the base. A Certified Master Catechist, she continued to teach religious education classes for many years after her retirement.
As the matriarch of her family, Mary Catherine was devoted to the well-being of her family and cherished her roles as Ma and Gramma. She spent much of her free time helping in the schools where her children and grandchildren attended, including working as a substitute teacher at Spring Creek Elementary, being a team or classroom mom, her daughters’ cheerleading coach, and den mother for her son’s scout troop. She had been a member of the NCO Wives Club, the Catholic Women of the Chapel, and The Third Century Singers. In her retirement, she enjoyed being a Red Cross Blood Mobile Volunteer, a precinct official for the Board of Elections, and helping with the Wayne County Special Olympics.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, November 28, 2022, at Saint Mary Roman Catholic Church with Father Roch T. Drozdzik officiating. Interment will also be held on Monday at 2:00 p.m. at the Coastal Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Jacksonville. The family will receive friends on Sunday, November 27, 2022, from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. at Seymour Funeral Home.
In the spirit of charity in which she lived her life the family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the organization of your choice.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Seymour Funeral Home and Cremation Service. Online condolences may be expressed at www.seymourfuneralhome.com.
