Mary Campagna

When reflecting on the life of Mary Campagna, one can see her kind, loving, selfless spirit in the way that she touched others’ lives. There was no greater gift in Mary’s life than her family; she considered it her greatest joy to love her family as a wife, mother, and grandmother. With a door that was always open to others, she held a special place in the hearts of all who were blessed to know and love her.

On October 30th, 1953, Robert and Rosemary (Clover) Austgen announced the birth of their baby girl, Mary, in Hammond, Indiana at St. Margaret's Hospital. Raised in the family home in the beautiful countryside of Crown Point, Indiana, Mary was the fourth of nine children. Mary’s father worked at LaSalle Steel and when Mary and her siblings were too young for school, her mother focused her time and attention at home. Once her children were older, Rosemary went back to work as a draftsman at Harbison Walker Refractory.

From the time she was a young girl, Mary was a vibrant, kind, compassionate, lover of life. She was a lifelong Catholic, and both her faith and her church were interwoven in her daily life. Mary attended local schools, and after graduating from high school, she came to Kalamazoo for educational opportunities. Mary attended both Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo Valley Community College. She earned a nursing degree from KVCC in 1975 and became a pediatric RN. Mary truly enjoyed caring for and connecting with the families she interacted with throughout her nursing years.

It was at her sister’s wedding where she walked down the aisle with Cary Campagna, the man she would later marry. After dating for two years, Mary informally proposed to Cary, while dressed in her soccer uniform. Later that Spring, this was followed up with a formal proposal by Cary at her apartment. On April 17, 1982, Cary and Mary were married at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, where the family continues to worship today. In December of 1983, they welcomed their first son Christopher Campagna into their home, followed by their daughter Beth Campagna in July of 1987.

Mary actively prioritized family and community in every aspect of her life. She was a volunteer in the local school district and a mother to all neighbor kids, friends, and family in need. She had the gift of hospitality, and her selflessness was demonstrated through her care of children of all ages, pets, and wild birds. When grandchildren came along, Mary was ecstatic; she treasured every moment with Quinn and Graham.

Her loving instincts were apparent even in her travels and adventures. Chris and Beth remember Mary emptying her coin purse on several occasions to help people in need while traveling Italy. She even had Cary pull over the car to support the local economies by purchasing from the roadside vendors in the Caribbean Islands. However, Mary’s travel limits were tested 10 hours into a 12-hour flight to Asia, when she announced to the family that they had gone far enough! The family spent summer vacations in Northern Michigan and escaped cold winters in Florida.

Mary always found ways to incorporate her talents and interests into the community. As a member of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, she taught Sunday school and sang in the Resurrection Choir. She took active steps to be environmentally conscious, prioritized nutrition and health foods, and kindly urged her husband to make healthy choices as well. Mary’s love of nature led her to earn her Master Gardener Certification, which she used to volunteer countless hours in local parks and churches. Mary was also passionate about music; she was a lifelong pianist. She also enjoyed singing songs from the sixties, musicals, and especially ones from “The Sound of Music”. In her free time, Mary also enjoyed connecting with special friends whom she met through work, church, and her community.

All who knew Mary Campagna would agree that she was truly beautiful both inside and out. Mary taught others to forgive, and that there is no greater gift than to love others more than you love yourself. Practical, wise, and faith-filled, she was such a blessing to many. Deeply devoted to her family, Mary cherished her husband, children, and grandchildren, and she was happiest when surrounded by them. She leaves behind a legacy that her loved ones will proudly carry on in her footsteps.

Mary was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2017. She participated in a medical study at Duke Brain Tumor Center. The study has made many advancements in the field and is ongoing. Mary was pleased to know that her participation will help future patients fighting glioblastoma. She handled the diagnosis and treatments with grace. Mary was grateful for all the visits from family and friends. She enjoyed the delivered flowers, cards, plants, and meals. Additionally, she appreciated the songs sung, the yard work done, and the devoted prayers that carried her entire family through their journey.

Mary Campagna passed away August 17, 2019 with family by her side at Rose Arbor Hospice. Mary is survived by her husband, Cary, and their children, Christopher (Logan) Campagna, Beth Anne (Tyler) Kindle, and grandchildren, Quinn Campagna and Graham Kindle. Mary is also survived by 7 brothers and sisters and was preceded in passing by an unborn infant in 1989 and a brother. Mary is also survived by her siblings and many dear Godchildren and other special nieces and nephews.

Visit with family and friends on Monday from 4-7pm at the Betzler Life Story Funeral Home, 6080 Stadium Drive; Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900. A scripture service will be held at 7 pm on Monday. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 am on Tuesday, August 20th, at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 1150 West Centre with Fr. Mark Vyverman, Celebrant. Burial will follow at Portage South Cemetery.

Please visit Mary’s personal web page at www.BetzlerLifeStory.com, where you can archive a favorite memory or photo and sign her online guestbook before coming to the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice Care of SW Michigan, Duke Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, or The Stuttering Foundation.