Mary E. Pierson

June 27, 1928 - October 7, 2018

Princeton – Mary Elizabeth Pierson, 90, of Princeton, IL passed away on Sunday, October 7, 2018 surrounded by loved ones. Mary was born on June 27, 1928 in Ohio, IL to Harry and Florence (Eggimann) Duffield. After graduating from LaMoille High School, she worked as a nanny and then as a switchboard operator for Allied Telephone Company in Princeton, IL. She met and married her love, Elmer George Pierson and they were wed in a double ceremony with her sister, Verna and her husband, Bill Lange at the Kasbeer Church, Kasbeer, IL on March 9, 1952. After starting their family, Mary became a full time homemaker. She served as a 4-H leader, a Sunday school teacher at First Christian Church in Princeton, IL, and a parent volunteer at Douglas Elementary School. In addition, she helped establish the library at Washington Middle School and was a home healthcare auxiliary volunteer. Mary enjoyed spending time with family and friends as well as crafts, sewing, gardening and yardwork. While traveling on an historical tour through Pennsylvania Dutch Country, she discovered she was a descendant of George Duffield who served as Chaplain to the First Continental Congress in 1774 and to General George Washington who later became our country’s first President. She is survived by two daughters Davida “DeeDee” (Mike) Gassmann of Peachtree City, GA and Connie Pierson of Princeton, IL; two sons Paul (Melissa) Pierson of Grayslake, IL and John (Cheryl Engle) Pierson of Aurora, IL; four granddaughters Mara (Neil Kornze) Gassmann of Washington, D. C., Jessica (Matt) Chauncey of Senoia, GA, Amanda (Jeff) Kelly of Fayetteville, GA and Katherine Pierson of Grayslake, IL; one grandson James Pierson of Grayslake, IL; one brother Wilbur “Skee” Duffield of Murfreesboro, TN; one sister-in-law, Doris Duffield of Princeton, IL; four great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Mary was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Elmer Pierson (1995); two sisters Irene (James) Perkins of Joliet, IL and Verna (Bill) Lange of Princeton, IL; one brother Harold Duffield of Ohio, IL; one sister-in-law Joan Duffield and one infant grandson Michael Pierson. Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 13, 2018 from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at Norberg Memorial Home, Princeton, IL. Services for Mary will be held at Norberg Memorial Home, Princeton, IL at 12:00 p.m. officiated by Pastor Laura Evans Mahn, on Saturday, October 13, 2018, followed by a graveside service at Elm Lawn Memorial Park, Princeton, IL. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the American Diabetes Association. Online condolences may be left at www.norbergfh.com