March 31, 2024, 84, Clayton —

October 16, 1939 – March 31, 2024

Mary (Marion) MacKrell Eberwein, 84, of Clayton passed away at UNC Johnston Health on Easter morning, March 31st surrounded by her loving family. Her gentle spirit and warm smile will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Mary was born on October 16th, 1939, in Lackawanna, NY to the late William and Agnes MacKrell. She raised her family in Durham, NC before moving to Clayton, where she spent the last 24 years. Mary is preceded in death by her parents and sisters Rosemary McClure and Alice Breidenstein, brother William MacKrell, and daughter-in-law, Hayley Eberwein (Brian).

Mary is survived by her seven children: Terri Clark (Neil), Derek Eberwein (Teresa), Jimmy Eberwein (Dawn), Kevin Eberwein, Brian Eberwein (Kristin), Dawn Pettus (Jim), and Daniel Eberwein. Her Grandchildren who brought great joy to her life are Anna (Steven), David (Samantha), Sam (Erin), Brad, Ashley (Matt), Austin, Emily, Alli, Will, Wes, Nick, Connor, Sarah, Rachel, Nathan, and Jacob. In addition to her grandchildren, Mary has 3 Great-Grandchildren: Sawyer, Kinsley, and Lainey. Additionally, one more Great-Grandchild, Trevor, is eagerly awaited. All Children, Grandchildren, and Great-Grandchildren are a testament to Mary’s enduring legacy of love and family.

Mary will be remembered for her kind heart and for her passions including her family, baking, quilting, sewing, and writing. Mary was a graduate of Erie County Technical Institute in Buffalo, NY with a medical assistant associate degree. She spent many years working for Dr. Tucker, an optometrist in Durham, and at Global Knowledge in Cary. Mary loved meeting friends for coffee especially her friends from Mothers Group at Holy Infant Catholic Church in Durham.

The family would like to thank the nurses and doctors in the ICU at UNC Johnston Health for their compassionate caregiving in Mary’s last days of her life.

A celebration of Mary’s life will be held at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Clayton, NC on Friday, April 26th at 11:30 am.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Down Syndrome Network of Greater Greensboro, in honor of Nathan Pettus, at DSNGG at 515 College Road, Suite #15, Greensboro, NC 27410 or via PayPal: @dsngg.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.rousefh.com.

Arrangements are entrusted to Rouse Funeral Home, La Grange.