rse of action regardless of the situation. Her judgment and uncanny insight never ceased to amaze. Family and friends often sought her advice as she guided many through pregnancies, parenting, and relationship challenges. Mary connected with all who knew her, making them feel comfortable and safe in their conversations and expression of innermost thoughts. As a remarkable listener she always took a keen interest in what others did and made them feel as if they were the only person in the room. What are you reading? What's your favorite food? And, what career would you choose if no one depended on your income? These were some of the questions all Mary's friends would be asked. She was a confidant who could be trusted with shared feelings and secrets. Basically an introvert, she was perfectly comfortable in large groups or at black-tie dinner parties. People sought her out and wanted to be around her gentleness and positive attitude. Many times she told her husband that she was the happiest person she knew. Always humble, Mary weathered even the most difficult situations with remarkable grace. She had pride in her appearance, behavior and standing, always taking the righteous path even if it involved considerable time and effort. Mary was, however, a complete failure at trying to tell lies. She simply couldn't do it. Whenever the occasion called for a small 'white lie' her complexion turned red, and she was visibly shaken, exposing perhaps a feeble attempt. In mid-life Mary read a book that described four principles that if practiced would create love and happiness in one's life. It was entitled 'The Four Agreements.' For the rest of her life Mary aspired to: 1) Be impeccable with her word, 2) Don't take anything personally, 3) Don't make assumptions, and 4) Always do her best. These are far easier said than done, but Mary often reminded those close to her to try to live their lives accordingly as did she. These four principles also led to Mary's exceptional authenticity and integrity. Mary was no stranger to the Bible either, at times reading it daily, particularly in later life before her vision faltered. All the above are some of the traits that enabled Mary to create a lifetime panorama of friends who reflected her values of compassion, honesty, personal responsibility, and hard work. Visible to all were Mary's numerous external passions. Motherhood was Mary's greatest yearning. She loved to hold her babies, watch their personalities develop, and shower them with unconditional love throughout their lives. These feelings transferred to subsequent generations, as she felt so very blessed by seven grandchildren. Even the babies of friends and neighbors received similar attention. Cultivated by a passion for reading, Mary had a wide array of interests. Always with three books being read simultaneously, she had an amazing recall of characters, plots and authors. Copious reading from an early age also contributed to Mary's substantial vocabulary. In later life Mary's husband asked her what had been her three favorite lifetime hobbies. Her answer was: 1-cooking, 2-crafting cards and 3-quilting. From the time she was an elementary schoolgirl Mary loved cooking, her favorite activity. She would run home from school at lunchtime and watch cooking shows while she ate. Mary was an adventuresome cook, trying recipes from books, relatives, neighbors and friends. Married in the month of August, her husband vividly recalls the first time he saw a dinner repeated in their tiny apartment was the following April. Mary also loved baking, making jams and jellies, and for decades hosted various holiday family dinners. In later life Mary developed a hobby of crafting unique, handmade greeting cards. While she originally intended to turn this into a business, she invested so much time and care into each card that they became unaffordable. People who received a small quantity of these cards as gifts usually were so struck by their elegance that they couldn't part with them as intended. A few recipients even framed some. Mary joined several quilt groups and guilds during her lifetime, but her favorite was a small group of like-minded women who in later life shared not only quilting but an array of life's issues. Like many of her activities, Mary's hand-quilting was extremely accomplished. And, true to her personality, most of her quilts were gifted to other family members or friends to commemorate marriages, christenings or birthdays. Although she began quilting in 1969, Mary never had any desire to record all the quilts she made. But her last quilt group decided to photograph and log all their works of art. Mary had to be prodded to participate, and although she had only spotty records or photographs of quilts made prior to 1980, her book of work contained photographs of more than 80 finished quilts. Mary's love, like the diamond she reflected, will influence many for generations. She left a legacy of kindness and a better way to live, influencing everyone she touched. Mary is survived by her beloved husband of 50 years, Joseph Dittmar. She is the treasured mother of Clint J. Dittmar and his wife Shanda of Uniontown, PA; Laura E. DeSpain and her husband Lance of Cary, NC; and Gwen L. Dittmar and her husband Ed Brennan of Los Angeles, CA. Mary is the proud and loving grandmother of Madigan Dittmar, Ella Dittmar, Nathaniel Kutina, Delaney Dittmar, Penelope Kutina, Emerson Dittmar, and Grant Dittmar-Brennan. Relatives and friends are invited to call on Saturday, May 19, 2018 from 9:45 to 10:45 AM at Saint Alphonsus Church, 1565 Temple Drive, Maple Glen, PA 19002. Mary's Funeral Mass will follow at 11:00 AM with Pastor Stephen F. Leva as Celebrant. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, it was Mary's wish that donations be made in her memory to Unite for HER, 127 East Chestnut Street, First Floor, West Chester, PA 19380 www.uniteforher.org/donate Tributes and photos may be shared at www.UrbanFuneralHome.com