Mary Anne Lasher

Visitation: 2 to 8 p.m., Monday, with a prayer service at 7 p.m., at Our Newburgh Chapel

Services: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10 a.m., with viewing beginning at 9 a.m., Tuesday, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church

Mary Anne Lasher was called to eternal life on May 8, 2015, after a battle with cancer, while surrounded at her home by family and loved ones. Born to Irene (Scheu) and Herman Joseph Petrig on July 26, 1938, she was the only girl amongst five brothers, Joe, John, Robert, Paul, and Mike. They ensured she was tough and she ensured they were loved. At the age of 11 she suffered from complications of Rheumatic fever which left her unable to walk and near death. Though her spirit was tested, she recovered fully. Mary Anne would make the most of that second chance. She grew up in Evansville, IN and graduated from Mater Dei High School in 1956. Thereafter, she met Gerald "Jerry" Lasher and he "Rescued her from the West Side" in 1958 to begin 57 years of marriage. Together they raised Beth (Frank) Bender, Richard (Dona) Lasher, Jill (Roger) Murphy, Mary Jane (Charlie, Jr.) Will, and Fred (Amy) Lasher. In addition to growing impressive vegetable gardens, their summers were spent among family and friends along the banks of the Ohio River… loving, living and laughing. Her boys took on her strong work ethic and many would say Mary Anne passed on her goods looks, at least to her girls. Those lucky enough to marry into her tight knit tribe were loved and treated as her own. She and Jerry would have it no other way. After raising her own family, Mary Anne went on to bless countless other kids with her culinary gift, working as a cafeteria manager for many years at Sharon Elementary in Newburgh. Upon retiring, she and Jerry spent summers tending their orchard (Grandview Orchard) in Spencer Co., and later, enjoyed their winters in the Florida Keys. She and her family were lifelong parishioners at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, and for years, she donated her time alongside close friends working at the parish's thrift shop (Mother Theresa's Treasures). She was also honored to serve the needs of others through her work on the Bereavement Committee at St. John's. Mary Anne was a dedicated grandmother. Her eyes seemed to light up each time she saw her 13 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. She had a loving way of connecting with each of them. They each claimed one of her many legendary pie or cobbler recipes as their favorite; and she happily baked for days leading up to family gatherings to ease the “last piece” quarrels. Her annual “Grandma Camps” were the highlight of their summers and benefitted each with a wealth of loving memories with her. Mary Anne had a servant's heart and she will be remembered for many things: her determined work ethic, endless labors of love, selfless nature, easy laugh and her steady faith.... all of these culminated in the love and dedication she poured into her family. Her legacy will undoubtedly live on in those that she loved. She is survived by her husband, Jerry, their children and spouses along with her five brothers, Joe (Esther) Petrig, John (Maggie) Petrig, Robert (Ethelene) Petrig, Mike (Nancy) Petrig all of Evansville and Paul Petrig of Zelienople, PA. Also surviving her are sisters in law, Barbara Lasher, Tell City, IN, Rebecca Rygh (Alan Nichols) of San Francisco, CA, and a brother in law, Steven (Barbara) Lasher, of Greenwood, IN. She is survived by her grandchildren Holly O'Neill, Jan Michael Bender, Katie Bender, Dale Bender, Drew Lasher, Whitney Richard, Clinton Will, Zachary Will, Charley Anne Will, Aaron Murphy, Kacy Murphy, Isaac Lasher and Avery Lasher and nine great grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10 a.m., with viewing beginning at 9 a.m., Tuesday, May 12, 2015, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 625 Frame Rd., Newburgh, Ind., burial will follow in St. John's Cemetery. Visitation will be 2 to 8 p.m., Monday, with a prayer service at 7 p.m., at Titzer Family Funeral Homes, Newburgh Chapel, 510 W. Jennings St., Newburgh, Ind., (812) 853-8314. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. Sympathy wishes to the family may be made at www.titzerfuneralhomes.com