Obituary of Mary M. Reichel

     Mary M. Reichel, 72, of Pompey, passed away Sunday afternoon at Crouse Hospital with her family by her side. She was born in Syracuse to Joseph and Helen Latocha and grew up in Pompey. Mary was a graduate of Fabius-Pompey High School in 1964 and attended Alfred Tech for Respiratory Therapy. Mary was the first female respiratory therapist in Onondaga County and was employed by Community General Hospital for 15 years until her retirement in 1978. She resided in Marcellus from 1969 until 1983 and was employed as a teacher’s aide with the Marcellus Central School District. Mary was also employed part-time with JoAnn Fabrics and the Goose and Gander. She was a very creative artist and made ceramics, crafts, weaving, chocolates and candy. Mary was an active member of the Pompey Community Church where she would make prayer shawls and lap blankets for shut-ins, bake pies, cakes and cookies for church events. Mary and her husband enjoyed camping, visits to the Turning Stone Casino and scheduling a cruise every two years to visit different parts of the world. Recently, Mary was one of 10 people selected by Kwik-Fill Convenience Stores to attend their annual customer appreciation weekend at the Holiday Valley Resort in Ellicottville where she had dinner with executives from the company and won a John Deere tractor. Her family is very grateful to Lance and the Kwik-Fill family for the enjoyable weekend as it was relaxing for Mary prior to the onset of her illness.

     Mary is survived by her husband of 41 years, Gary W. Reichel; their children, Cary L. Reichel, Heather M. (Ned J.) Schlafer and William C. (Kristy) Reichel; her mother, Helen Latocha; brother, Robert (Trish) Latocha; sister-in-law, Deborah Latocha; grandchildren, Devon Schlafer, Lily, Calla and Simeon Reichel and by her great granddaughter, Avery Morgan Schlafer. She was predeceased by her father, Joe Latocha and by her brother, Stephen Latocha.

     A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, November 2, 2019 at the Pompey Community Church, 2555 Berwyn Road in Lafayette. Contributions may be made to the Oneida Health Cancer Center, 604 Oneida St., Oneida, NY 13421 in memory of Mary. To leave a message of sympathy for the Reichel family, please visit www.michaelebrownfuneralservices.com