Mary Clare (LaBlance) Fochtman Obituary (1921 - 2018)

Born Apr 20, 1921, Mary Clare (LaBlance) Fochtman attended Charlevoix High School in Charlevoix, MI. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Mary Clare (lablance) Fochtman.

Graduation Year	Class of 1939
Date of Birth	Apr 20, 1921
Date of Passing	Apr 27, 2018
About	Mary Clare (LaBlance) Fochtman, resident of Largo, Florida, died peacefully on April 27, 2018 surrounded by her family. She was 97 years old. The fifth of seven children of George LaBlance and Laura (Sendenburgh) LaBlance, Mary was born on April 20, 1921, in Charlevoix, Michigan. She graduated from Charlevoix High School and attended business school in Kalamazoo. On July 24, 1943, Mary married her high school sweetheart, Ed Fochtman. After the war, the family eventually settled in Elmhurst, Illinois, where Mary managed the household and four children. Mary planned long road trips for the family every summer. The children had a great time on these adventurous trips, learning U.S. history and geography, as well as gaining a love of nature and the outdoors. After 49 years in Elmhurst, with the kids all grown and gone, Mary and Ed decided to stop shoveling snow. They moved to Largo, Florida, to what was for them the perfect place to live, Fairway Village. Here they were close to their siblings, and made many new friends. They enjoyed playing golf together and also played in both the women's and men's leagues. They also had the leisure time to become world travelers, going to Malaysia, France, England, Greece, Ireland, Hawaii, and many other locations. They lived happily in Fairway Village for seventeen years, before moving to Regal Palms in Largo. Mary was a devout Catholic. When the children were young and attending the newly-built Visitation Catholic School in Elmhurst, she volunteered extensively at the school and was the President of the Visitation Council of Catholic Women. She also served doughnuts and hot chocolate to the whole school population after every First Friday Mass, which made her a very popular school visitor. Both Mary and Ed were honored to be named Lifetime Members of Visitation Parish. Mary and Ed were always looking for ways to share their blessings with others. Over a span of 10 years, they volunteered for Catholic Charities to be the foster parents of a total of 40 newborn babies. Many of these children had special needs, and all of them waking up in the middle of the night (often more than once) and wanted something to eat and/or some attention. During those years, Mary and Ed both provided tender loving care for each and every one of their foster children. There was always an endless supply of sterilized baby bottles in their kitchen and bottomless love in their hearts! Mary is survived by her beloved husband of 75 years, Ed Fochtman; and their children, Dianne Fochtman Seleny, Mary DuBose (Jonathan), Paul Fochtman (Sasha), and Marjorie Fochtman. She is also survived by her sister, Sue LaBlance; grandchildren, Heather Rubinstein (Ian), Elizabeth Heinrich (J.D.), Matthew Fochtman and Spencer Fochtman; and by great-grandchildren, George, Toby and Louie Rubinstein. And, she is survived by and devotes a special thank you to her nephew, Bruce Livingston and his wife, Mary, who live in Sarasota, Florida, for their invaluable, unwavering support and love during her and Ed's years in Florida. During her lifetime, Mary put faith and family ahead of everything else. She was always there for her husband and children no matter what they needed. Mary loved family activities, gardening, and reading novels about family life (preferably those with both a moral and a happy ending). She was a ruthless Hillbilly Rummy player, and enjoyed playing cribbage with Ed, who upon her demise owed her $75.25, their running tally of games won (at a quarter a game). She was a loving, caring person, and a devoted wife, mother and friend, always thinking of others first. She lived a long and happy life and we are all thankful that we were a part of it. She will be missed by many, always loved, and never forgotten. A service for Mary will be held in Charlevoix at a date to be announced. To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.