Obituary of Mary C. Ingersoll

Mary passed away peacefully November 27, 2018, after several years of suffering with Parkinson’s Disease. She was predeceased by her parents Edward and Erma Cosgrove and her brother Albert. She was survived by her loving husband of 58 years and best friend Earl G. Ingersoll and her loving sister Patricia E. Cosgrove and sons Jeffrey E. (Linda) and Timothy E. (Sara); her grandchildren Stacy (Adam), Jessica, Joshua, Patrick, and Mia Grace; and great-granddaughter Madelyn; nieces and nephews.
Mary was a master teacher. She taught a year in the Fayette-Manlius Schools and three years in the Madison, Wisconsin Schools, supporting her student-husband and sons, but she taught for 27½ years in the Spencerport Central Schools from which she and Earl graduated in 1956 and where they met in Kindergarten. Mary graduated with a BS in Ed and an MS in Ed. from what is now the College at Brockport. When she applied to teach in Madison, her principal-to-be interviewed her by phone and hired her sight unseen because she had permanent certification to teach; and he told her how much he valued a degree conferred by SUNY.
In 1979 Mary joined a group of educators at the Terry Taylor School to establish a Gifted and Talent Program and taught in the Program with her buddy Steve Fitch; he, math and science; she, English and social studies. Their Golden Rule was No Student May Put Down Another, and soon their students took over the enforcement of the Rule, and they learned the value of cooperation and working together. Typically, each September, a parent of an incoming 3rd grader to the program would write or phone Mary or Steve, and say something like, Last year I had to practically drag Johnny to the school bus and now he can’t wait; I don’t know what you’re doing but don’t stop. Mary would say: Johnny was just bored with “seat work,” and needed to be challenged. She often got mail from former students, usually women. I recall one who wrote about a position she had just taken and thanked Mary for the encouragement to believe she could compete and succeed. And card after card from her colleagues expressing sympathy for her loss speaks of Mary’s impact upon her fellow teachers: one wrote: “Mary was such an inspiration to me as a young teacher, I so enjoyed her knowledge, wisdom & passion for education.” 
Calling hours Saturday afternoon, December 22nd, 1-3, celebration of Mary, 3-4, at Walker Brothers, 15 West Ave., Spencerport; followed by a private dinner for family.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mary’s memory to: Ingersoll Family Endowment, College at Brockport Foundation, 350 New Campus Dr., Brockport 14420;  OR Spencerport Central Retirees’ Association scholarship,  Diana Hanley, Treasurer, 3976 Brick Schoolhouse Rd., Hamlin, 14464;  OR  Foodlink, 936 Exchange St., Rochester 14608.