Mary Louise Fickel

In Memoriam of ...Mary Louise Fickel, “My Once in a Lifetime!”

Mary Louise Fickel was born on December 31, 1956, in Parma, Ohio to the late Ralph E. Fickel, Sr. and the late Margaret Sherby Fickel. From what Mary would share with me, her dad was especially happy when she came before the end of the year...Tax Write Off!! But I digress. Growing up the youngest of three children she adored her older brother and sister. They were everything to her but sometimes too they were just big pains in the butt! She adored her older brother, the late Ralph E. Fickel, Jr. And her loving sister Annette Tuebner.

Mary would often talk about her days hanging with her BFF Sully and driving in her white VW bug, how she was able to weasel her dad into letting her skydive. And unfortunately, of the sudden passing of her dear friend at a very young age from that wicked cancer.

After graduating Mary decided to enlist in the United States Navy. She entered as a parachute rigger and worked on the aviation side of her Navy career. She lived an adventurous life during her time in the service. She retired as a Senior Chief after a successful 20-year career.

Then while on her last duty station before retirement, Mary met Theresa E. Frank through a mutual friend Nick in 1997. It literally was love at first sight and the rest is history. Mary and Theresa got married on May 2, 2000, in Key West (not recognized) and legally wed on October 4, 2008, in San Diego. They have shared a good life together with their furry friends Tori, Abbie, Tia, Izzy and Casey. They have lived a life to be proud of!

Mary was quiet strength. She loved everything Marvel, Seattle Seahawks and WW2 history. She had a dry wit, sarcastic sense of humor, smart oh so smart but also a smartass as well. You just felt safe in her arms as I have for the last 27 years. After retiring from the Navy Mary received a scholarship to attend California Western school of Law. She graduated in 2002 and went on to have a successful 20-year law career. Mary wanted to travel to all the WW2 sites throughout Europe when we retired and moved to Bellingham Washington, to start our last chapter in life and whatever that looked like.

Unfortunately, Cancer had other plans. We learned of her aggressive type of cancer on October 5, 2023, and I lost my beautiful angel March 13, 2024, after a valiant battle. Mary was an amazing warrior and the absolute “Once in a Lifetime!” She was not her cancer diagnosis; she was so much more!

Mary had an amazing cancer team at Prebys Cancer Center and Elizabeth Hospice.

Mary is survived by her loving wife Theresa E. Frank and their fur baby Izzy. She is also survived by her loving sister Annette Tuebner and her two nephews Robert Christian Tuebner and his family, Anna Willingshofer Tuebner and their two children Eric and Clara Tuebner; and Nathan Ross Tuebner. She is also survived by many amazing family and friends.

Predeceased by her parents Ralph E. Fickel, Sr. and Margaret Sherby Fickel as well as her brother Ralph E. Fickel, Jr.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial gifts to Prebys Cancer Center at Scripps Health.

In Appreciation:

The family of Mary Louise Fickel would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for your kindness, prayers and words of comfort during this time of bereavement. May God bless and keep each one of you...