Mary Ruth Paquette was born in Morganton, North Carolina on January 21, 1940. She passed away on May 23, 2017 peacefully in her home after a courageous battle with cancer.

Mary was the daughter of Herbert and Ruth Solesby, and sister of Laura Ann, Evelyn, and Donald, each of whom Mary is reuniting with in heaven.

Mary spent her youth in Morganton, North Carolina before moving to Baltimore, Maryland with her sisters, where she had her four children: Tina and Jeff Weinberg (who preceded her in death); Sandy Weinberg of Eugene, Oregon; and Jerry Scheff of Baltimore, Maryland. Mary also leaves behind her granddaughters Ashley Sandifer and Monica Joseph, and cousin and close friend Barbara Childers.

Mary was a bartender at the American Legion in Severn, Maryland for over two decades. It was there where she met her beloved husband Oscar Paquette. Mary and Oscar moved back to her hometown of Morganton in 2000, where they married and started their life together.

Mary's hobbies included shopping for antiques at yard sales and thrift stores, gardening, and creating home improvement ideas, which she would help Oscar skillfully turn into reality. Mary was a strong-willed person, who worked hard to provide for her family, seemingly beyond her means. The love and care that she exhibited to her family made you feel very fortunate to have her in your life.

A memorial service will be held for Mary on Saturday May 27, 2017 at 12:00 PM at Crowe's Mortuary and Crematory in Rutherfordton, North Carolina. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Rutherford County at www.hospiceofrutherford.org or by mailing your donation to P.O. Box 336 Forest City, NC 28043. Online condolences may be made at www.crowemortuary.com.