Mary Catherine Neph

Mary Catherine Neph, age 81, passed away on Thursday, November 28, 2024 at Lund Family Hospice Home in Gilbert, AZ.  She was born in Jefferson, Wisconsin on October 1, 1943, the only daughter of the late Robert and Marion Schicker.

Mary attended Jefferson High School, graduating in 1961, followed by the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater in 1965, with a degree in Business Education.  Mary influenced many young minds during her 31 years teaching high school business classes for the Green Bay Public School District. Upon retiring in 1999, Mary enjoyed singing with the local community choir at assisted living facilities.  She also volunteered at her church as a lector and prepared the weekly bulletin.  Mary and her husband, Jim, spent a number of their retirement years living in Florida, where they took many cruises, their favorite being “Three Continents in Three Weeks.”  They then moved to Arizona in 2020 to be near family, spending time with grandson Jackson.

Mary is survived by her husband Jim, of 29 years, her daughters Kathryn (Doug) Searles of Montello, WI, and Susan (James) Gartner, and grandson Jackson Gartner of Gilbert, AZ.  She is also survived by four brothers:  Tom (Phyllis) Schicker, Rick (Vicki) Schicker, Mike Schicker, and Bill (Lisa) Schicker, several aunts, and a number of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Mary’s name to Hospice of the Valley Arizona, thanking them for the special care they gave to her these past several months.

A celebration of Mary’s life is planned for Spring 2025 in Jefferson, WI. She is interned at Gilbert Memorial Park, Gilbert, AZ.

Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life; 

whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and

everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.”