Obituary of Mary T. Oberg

Our Matriarch, Mary, has passed away peacefully. Following a long battle with COPD, Mary left this world August 24, 2021 to join the many loved ones who have gone before her.

It has been quite a journey of loving, arguing, laughing, making mistakes, enjoying successes and playing together with family and friends. We were blessed with three great children, their spouses, and three very special grandchildren.

~ Mary

Mary was born to the late Edward and Roberta (Rymsza) McCaffrey on April 6, 1940 in Norwich, CT. Mary graduated from Norwich Free Academy prior to receiving a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Connecticut in 1962.

Mary married Ronald Oberg in 1962. Their family life started in Norwich before they relocated to Glastonbury in 1964. 

Mary was predeceased by her parents, husband and son-in-law, Charles Dimock. Mary is survived by her brother and his spouse (Edward and Virginia McCaffrey) and her three children and their spouses (Karen Dimock; Mark and Ann Oberg; Kristen and Shawn Goode). She is also survived by three very special grandchildren: Shawn, Ryan and Shaelyn Goode.

In the early years, Mary supported her kids' endless activities and appointments, although she dreaded extra innings or overtime! Despite the constant shuttling of kids, she always prepared family meals (dinner at 5:30!) and was there to help her children heal, learn, and teach them life lessons (sometimes with tough love) to make better choices.

Over the years, Mary and her family enjoyed many gatherings and celebrations at the house on Randolph Drive as well as fun trips to Disney World, Hilton Head, Cape Cod, New Jersey, Atlanta, Denver, NYC to watch the Big East tournament and eventually gatherings in Florida for the same.  Of course, there were less successful trips too, such as Block Island with Mark and Ann during a Nor'Easter, but we survived!

Mary kept her brain sharp reading, doing cross stitch and competing at Words with Friends.  She played daily with her daughters, Karen and Kristen, and celebrated the few times she would actually win.  She began slowing down in recent years, due to her battle with COPD, but she never stopped fighting and recovering from a variety of setbacks in true McCaffrey fashion before dying peacefully on Tuesday evening. 

A very proud Gramma will be especially missed by Shawn Patrick, Ryan Edward, and Shaelyn Mary.  She enjoyed reading to and coloring with them, attending games, recitals and plays, talking about their activities, and worrying about their well-being....constantly.  She would drop everything and drive to New Jersey whenever needed for as long as she could. Gramma from Heaven now has the best seat in the house, beaming with pride, to watch their games, performances, graduations and other special events as they become adults and beyond. She joins Poppa in leading their personal cheering section and protecting them from above. 

Mary had many lifelong friends from Glastonbury and Norwich, those of which knew her as Pinky.  She enjoyed connecting regularly with many friends, but was able to pick right back up where they left off with those she only saw periodically. She would be honored if you would take a walk, go to the beach, plant some flowers, enjoy an ice cream (Robbs Farm!), or go to your favorite place where you shared a good memory with her and remember Mary/Pinky.

Mary and the family want to thank the caregivers at Addison Place Glastonbury, Hartford Healthcare at Home, Hartford Hospital Trauma and Hospice Care units and Dr. Michael Deshaies who was always willing and able to help assist during numerous challenging times with her illness.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the American Lung Association in Mary's name.

Mary will be laid to rest at St. Augustine's Cemetery in South Glastonbury.

Thank you, Mom. Rest now relieved of pain and worry, breathing easy and knowing you are not alone.  You are loved and will be missed.