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Mary G. Deet, 79, of Little Valley, NY passed away Thursday August 20, 2026 at the Olean General Hospital. She was born Dec.29, 1946 in Salamanca, NY the daughter of the late George and Mary (Bowen) Raecher.
Mary graduated from Ellicottville Central School in 1965 and then went on to graduate from Bryant and Stratton Business Institute in 1966.She worked at Clark Bros. in Olean, NY before then in 1968 started working for Cattaraugus Co. where she worked for the Welfare Dept. before starting as Secretary for County Clerk Mynetta Fluker for over 8 years. She then was called by Sheriff Charles Hill to come work for the Sheriff's Dept. to take statements as needed.In 1978 she went on to serve as Secretary to the Sheriff and served for Sheriff Hill, Sheriff John Kalamanka, Sheriff Jerry Burrell and Sheriff Ernest Dustman.She retired at the County in 1998. Mary received many awards from the Federal Government for her service to the county. She was named Employee of the Year from the Catt. Co. Sheriff Dept. Heads.
On August 18, 1970 she met the love of her life Robert M. Deet, they were engaged the same year and were married July 24, 1971 at the Methodist Church in Ellicottville, NY. Bob brought the blessings of 4 children to Mary. They became her children also, and then gave them 9 grandchildren John, Christine, Kelly, David, Christina, Joshua, Ryan, Tyler and Karli and several great grandchildren
She is survived by three of her children, Robert (Roberta) Deet Jr., Raymond (Hazel) Deet, and Darlene Esperson, predeceased by Marilou Frederickson. Also surviving are 3 siblings, George (Jan) Raecher of Goldsboro, NC, Charle Raecher of Salamanca, NY and Susan DiPaola of Olean, NY and several nieces and nephews.
When Mary lost her husband in 2018, she lost the love of her life. They did everything together, building Christmas decorations which were seen in their front yard every year. They won many awards, and Mary always said it was the hardest time of year for her, because those decorations couldn't be set up.They were often seen walking, always holding hands and spent an extremely devoted life together. They had been married 47 years shortly before Bob passed away.
Friends may call at the Mentley Funeral Home Inc. 411 Rock City Street in Little Valley, NY on Thursday August 27, 2026 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Funeral Services will be held on Thursday at 2 p.m. from the funeral home. Burial will be next to her husband in Little Valley Rural Cemetery.
She wanted to thank all of the friends and neighbors who helped her getting to Dr. appointments, gotten medicine, received groceries and many other errands after Bob passed away.
In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to the Little Valley Ambulance Service.