Mrs. Mary Rita Babbitt

Mrs. Mary Rita (Mazelin) Babbitt, 104, passed away July 22, 2023, in Greenbelt, Maryland. She was born October 21, 1918, in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Her funeral Mass was celebrated at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis after which she was laid to rest at Holy Cross Cemetery.

She is survived by her daughter Dr. Mary R. Babbitt of Greenbelt, Maryland; sixteen living nieces and nephews: Thomas, Michael, Mary Patricia, Dennis, Theresa, Stephen, Catherine, James, John, Francis, Mary Ann, David, Eileen, Patrick, Marguerite, Kathleen, one deceased nephew Joseph; and their progeny.

Mary Rita was a prayerful woman. She loved the Lord and was faithful to Him all her life. When people asked her to what she attributed her long life, she would point heavenward. She did not expect such a long life and faced death with the attitude “Whenever the Lord wants to take me.”

She was also a sacrificial woman, giving of herself, without reserve, to her family, to her friends, to anyone in need. She served as an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist for many years at the Methodist Hospital, always walking from home to the Cathedral then on to the hospital. She actively participated in several different ministries at the Cathedral, her parish for more than ninety years.

She was in training to become a nurse for one year at St. Vincent’s Hospital. She was an employee of American United Life Insurance Company (now One America) for thirty-nine years, working overtime for many of those years.

She never complained. In her last illness, she brought out the best in everyone, even though she probably didn’t realize the power of her example. She loved her family and was so happy when her nieces and nephews gave so generously of themselves to come visit her and help out in her last year.

Being a very bright woman, she retained her mental acuity and wit to the end. She was valedictorian of her St. Agnes Academy high school class and earned the French medal. She was loved by family and friends alike and will be remembered for her thoughtfulness, generosity, beautiful smile, and cheerful disposition. May Mary Rita Babbitt rest in the peace of the Lord for all eternity.