I took CNA classes last year, but I wasn't prepared at all for the sheer amount of work involved with being a CNA. The information you provide is really helpful to new students I think, so keep it up.

I met Mary during our first year of nursing school at Concordia, 1990. Even though we seemed to have very different lives, we became best friends. I had 2 small children and she was just about to be married to Bob. We shared the ups and downs of our lives and helped each other make it through the tough times of school work. We always drove together to our clinicals. Mary didn't like to drive into the city, so she would park her little white convertable car in my driveway and off we would go, very early in the morning. We were the last class to take the Nursing licensing exam down at the Bradley center (before computerization). She was due with Jacob in about a week. At break, the line for the bathrooms was very long, so I checked the mens, all clear and we stormed it. Telling the very few guys there, they had to use the other one! Over the years we would meet for breakfasts at Bubolz in Saukville with our kids and catch up. A few years into our careers,I started working at Advanced Healthcare and really loved it. I convinced Mary to apply for a Peds Nurse position that was open and the rest is history. I will cherish the memories of Mary for the 20 years I shared with her. Bob and Jacob, you will always keep your memories close in your heart. Mary will watch over us, smiling down from heaven above.

We all want to thank all of the wonderful people our daughter worked with for your wonderful words. We, too, will miss our Sunshine Gal and am very thankful for all her co-workers.

Working days,I never got to enjoy being with Mary as much as I would have liked. Our time together goes back to last year as we worked together at the festivel in the Columbia Center tent. In our first few moments together I knew Mary was someone special. I so enjoyed her delightful sense of humor and positive attitude, even though she was on leave and recovering. I think of all the many lives Mary touched at such a tender moment when giving birth. Truly an angel on earth to many new families who will remember her always. To Bob and Jacob, truly her incredible and caring spirit will remain in your hearts forever. Take care of yourselves and each other for Mary during these sad days. When you find some joy in each day, Mary is surely there with you.

What can I say about Mary? I'll always remember her smile and rosey cheeks. She would come into work tired, but would never complain of having lack of sleep. She would bring in salsa and chips and leave it at the front desk and go into the nursery to sit and be with the staff and babies. Of course seeing the salsa and chips sitting out on the counter I couldn't resist eating it along with another co-worker. By the time Mary would come out to the front desk, the salsa and chips would be almost gone and she never complain about not getting any.Actually she never complain about anything really.
I'll miss her kind nature and compassion for others.

Maechtle Family and Friends~
I really wish I was a better writer, especially when it comes to conveying how sweet, funny and wonderful Mary was, but I am sure anyone who knew her would understand the fact that she was unique and that is hard to define! Jacob and Bob, it is strange to say but I feel like I already know you, though we have never met, Mary's funny accounts of everyday life with you were so much fun to listen to and the stories were always lively and interesting... just like Mary. You two really were the reason she smiled every day including days when you could see Mary was not feeling her best. There was never a day that I can remember when Mary wasn't smiling, she was not a whiner or the feel-sorry-for-yourself type, that just wasn't in her nature. The greater the impact someone has on your life the greater the feeling of loss, we feel the loss of a truly wonderful person, mother, friend, wife, nurse, and the list goes on...
Jacob, I hope you know how much your mom loved you, and I hope you brag about your kids the way your mom did about you, in a way that complete strangers (like me) would feel it!
Bob, I wish you peace and comfort at this time. Thank you for being so good to our friend and for being a soft place to land on good days and bad ones.

There is so much I want to say...I don't know where to begin.....
This past Saturday (Sept 25, 2010)changed so many lives.......
I began my freindship with Mary when I oriented her to Labor & Delivery @ St Michael Hospital a long time ago. Working with Mary was so neat. She had such a great sense of humor, and always had such a realistic way of looking at things.
Her smile was so full, and that twinkle in her eye Ann talked about came with the smile!! Her handwriting was so pretty. At the service last night, I saw the flowers her Mom and Dad had beside the coffin and realized from her Mom's signing the card, that Mary wrote her "M"s the same way her mom does.
Bob---she so loved you. You were the anchor in her life!! She was so proud of your woodworking talents. She talked about your shop and the business @ work. You 2 were able to share so many years together. The photos were delightful---sweet innocent love that developed into a loving family. That will remain with you forever!!
Jacob--it's hard for me to help you understand just how proud your mom was of you!!! She talked about you so often @ work. She would plan her work schedule totally around your wrestling meets. She would sacrifice sleeping before a night shift because she didn't want to miss a moment of your meet. We've had many a discussion about your growing up too fast, the newness of you driving, the dating stuff... I could go on and on.....Lauren and my daughter Emily played volleyball together (Comets). When you Mom brought your prom pictures to work, we discovered the link...
Yesterday, I bought a "Beauty Berry" bush @ Home Depot in remembrence of Mary. It has a lot of very small bright lavender berries that reminded me of all the colorful scrub jackets Mary use to wear. It has a long bloom time, just like Mary's smile will remain in my memory. I'm going to plant it in a sunny spot in my yard, and carefully tend to it. It will be called my "Mary Berry Bush". Chris Witters advised me to be sure to water it because Mary sometimes forgot to water her plants and they didn't make it. I'm hoping if I forget, maybe she could help me out and send a little rain our way.......
In my mind, we are so lucky. We were able to be with and love Mary here on Earth, and now she has become an angel. She can be with all of us, all of the time. (Oh Oh, I better really watch my step) :D
I will miss you Mary, but I know you won't be far!!

Mary was a shining example of what nursing should alwaus be...Compassionate, and thorough. She was quick with responses to anything from patient needs, to a coworkers joke. I am thankful to have worked with her and been a witness to her amazing role as a nurse. She always wore a smile no matter how she felt- and in the greater spec of things.. She truly had earned her wings. My condolences to the Meachtle family.. You are still part of the Columbia Center family and we will always be here for you. Mary loved her family first, and she will continue to guide you as you walk the path of life. As I continue to witness babies being born and the nurses that help those mom and dads in the birth process, I will smile knowing Mary left her mark on so many hearts and her love will remain there forever.

I remember the first time I ever met Mary. She was working at the tent at the Strawberry Festival. I can see her standing there, sunburned nose, sunglasses propped on her head, laughing at her partner in crime, Kathie. That mischievous twinkle in her eye made me like her right away. She was a delight and a warm, caring person. I know we are a little less sunny today without her.

Mary was an exceptional person. She was always willing to help out others. If something needed to be done, Mary would volunteer to do it. Mary was also an incredible example to others that despite the challenges we face, or the struggles and hardships put upon us, a positive attitude and a determination to focus on the blessings we do have is how one should live their life. Mary's compassionate care of her patients, and support of her coworkers was genuine and heartfelt. We will all miss Mary, but are grateful for the opportunity to have known her and worked with her.