Mary Fabik Obituary

Mary Fabik

Nov 5, 1930 - Oct 30, 2023

Milan

Mary Fabik, 92, of Milan, passed away peacefully Monday, Oct. 30, 2023, after a brief illness.

She was born Nov. 5, 1930, in Lebanon, Tennessee, to Louise Burrows and John Eddins.

Mary worked at New Departure where she met her husband, Richard. They married and began raising their three kids, Theresa, Tom, and Ray. Richard and Mary were married for 64 years and still, Richard kissed her every morning and told her that he loved her.

Mary worked for American Square Dance Magazine in Huron for 25 years as an Editorial Assistant and Feature Writer. She wrote the monthly Encore feature and did everything from editing to layout to production. She and Richard were avid square dancers in the 1960s and 70s. Mary only recently discovered that Dad didn't really enjoy square dancing, but he always went along because she enjoyed it so much.

She was active at St. Anthony's parish in Milan, working with the food pantry and helping plan the Giving Tree program for many years, distributing Christmas gifts to area children. She enjoyed the many friends she had at Senior Center Bridge Club. She was an avid bridge player, playing up to three times a week. But her favorite part of bridge was winning! She liked going on cruises as long as there was a casino on board where she could play the slot machines while Richard was at the buffet. They took many cruises, including to the Panama Canal, Europe, South America, and the Bahamas. Her favorites were the cruises she took with her family. In her 70s, Mary began competing in numerous 5K races. At age 73, she completed the Detroit Half-Marathon along with her kids. She proudly wore her race t-shirts and displayed her medals. Mary always made Christmas special for her family, from staying up all night wrapping presents from Santa to hosting the entire family for Christmas at her house for 20 people.

Some of her favorite things were enjoying a good book, watching Jeopardy, playing Scrabble, rooting for the Cleveland sports teams, watching the birds and eagles out her living room window, eating good chocolate, and drinking a hot cup of coffee (and you better make sure it was hot!). And she still enjoyed a nightly glass of wine with Dad before bed. Mary was strong, determined, and spoke her mind. She was a caring wife, mother, grandma, and friend. She loved the family gatherings and spending time with her kids and grandkids. She will be dearly missed.

She is survived by her husband, Richard H. Fabik, whom she married Oct. 22, 1959; sons, Tom Fabik and his wife Cheryl of Norwalk and Ray Fabik and his wife Laura of Lebanon, Ohio; son-in-law, Sam Darby of Normantown, West Virginia; six grandchildren, Bryan Darby, Jesse Darby and his wife Shannon, Sebastian Fabik, Mateo Fabik, Draden Fabik, and Tevin Fabik; three great-grandchildren, Presley, Jameson, and Piper; sister, Ida Hartman of Atlanta, Georgia; and several nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Mary was preceded in death by her mother; daughter, Theresa Darby; brother, Raymond Eddins; and sister, Judy Eddy.

Visitation will be 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, until the time of prayer services at 10 a.m. at Groff Funeral Home, Milan Chapel, 1 South Main Street, Milan, followed by Mass of Christian Burial at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, 145 S. Center Street, Milan, with Fr. Jeff Sikorski presiding. Burial will follow at St. Anthony's Cemetery.

Those wishing to contribute to Mary's memory may do so to Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio, 5510 Baumhart Rd., Lorain.

Condolences may be shared online at www.grofffuneralhomes.com.