Mary L. Metzger-Lydem formerly Warren
Mary L. Metzger-Lydem formerly Warren born at home in St. Albans, Vermont to Thomas Alexander Lydem and Amanda Guilman-Lydem left this earthly realm called to heaven by our Lord Jesus Christ on February 23, 2021, after a long courageous battle from complications of COVID 19. She was 92 years young.
It would be wrong to say that Mary lost her battle because she never stopped fighting. No matter how sick she was, she was always determined. When anyone else would have broken, Mary stayed strong. Through her, we know what resilience and perseverance truly looks like. There was no quit in Mary. Just because she is no longer here, it does not mean she ever lost her fight.
When Mary’s children were young, the phrase “stay-at-home-mom” did not exist. It was usual for women to stay home with the children while their husbands worked. But even by the standards of the era, Mary was an exceptional wife and mother and later a grandmother to all her many grandchildren. She cared deeply for her family and was the true sense of a great neighbor. She did this not out of obligation, but because of who she was. She was always the first to offer help. She regularly brought meals to the home of sick neighbors. She was a wonderful cook, great gardener (best pickles around!). And she always ensured that every child who crossed her threshold was safe, healthy, and happy and her home was home away from home for so many kids through the years!
She was an entrepreneur by heart and well before her time, she started her own in-home daycare which included caring for children with special needs, she had a cleaning service on the side, and no one cleaned like Mary!! She was a natural interior decorator and could make any home or shack look like a palace! People would solicit her for her creative eye!! She volunteered her time at St. Timothy’s church in Valley Station, KY in the kitchen, cleaning and helping with school plays and such. She was a Den Mother in the Cub Scouts, a gifted seamstress making all her girl’s clothes, Doilies, tablecloths, and her own creations. Later in life she worked various jobs and was always revered as “the hardest working woman I’ve ever known!”
Mary had an insatiable laugh and unforgettable humor, always had a smile on her face and a gift of lifting others spirit. She loved to joke around, was typically the life of the party and was known by many as their” Momma or Granny.” She would literally give the shirt off her back and/or her last dime to anyone in need, especially her family. Mary had a great love for animals and took in many of homeless pets through the years. She will be forever in our hearts, greatly missed and never forgotten!
Mary is the sole survivor of 14 children and survived by her four children Ellis (Brigitta) of Parker, CO., Karen (Mark) of Versailles, KY, Kathleen (Bob) of Zimmerman, MN, Karlene (Eddie) of North Middletown, KY. and 10 grandchildren, Seth, Shelby, Jakob, Terrell, Dustin, Kortnie, Bobby, Anthony, Gregory, Victor Jr and four great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and our beloved stepmother Cecilia Warren of Huachuca City, AZ. There will be a celebration of life gathering this summer date to be determined. Her ashes will be buried at a future date.”
The arrangements were entrusted to the Lusk-McFarland Funeral Home, 1120 Main St., Paris, KY.
The online guestbook is at www.lusk-mcfarland.com and a 24 hour funeral information line can be reached by calling 859-987-4387.
