Mary Katherine Adkins

Mary was born on September 4, 1935 to parents John and Gladys Sistek in Irwin, PA. She, along with her younger sisters Barbara Sistek and Virginia Fraicola, was blessed to grow up surrounded by a loving extended family and close-knit community that helped shape her into the caring, conscientious person she became.

In 1955, Mary met John Adkins while he was serving in the Army. The two married on January 5, 1956 and moved to Columbus, OH. Together they raised a family of four children, Susan (Don) Holley, Joe (Marcia) Adkins, Terri (Richard) Uhrig, and James Adkins, in a warm home that was always open to the other neighborhood children. Everyone was drawn to Mary; she fed them, joked with them, played games with them – including neighborhood water battles in the summer – and most importantly made them all feel safe and loved. The neighboring adults also felt this welcoming warmth as there was always a hot pot of coffee brewed and plenty of time for a visit. She was also "adopted" as Mom to Dao Tran and "adopted" him back as an additional beloved son.

Mary was delighted to become a grandmother several times over to Clinton (Lindsay) Uhrig, Joey (Ashley) Adkins, Michael (Shiloh) Holley, Robert Uhrig, Amanda (Kevin) Tantes, and Dana (William) Moran. She was always available to spend time with her grandchildren, passing the time with yummy food and snacks, fun activities, hilarious jokes, trips to the dollar store, and a listening ear. Her heart was further filled with love for her great-grandchildren: Christian and Landon Uhrig; Kaylee, Lily, Johnny, and Bradley Adkins; Nell Holley; and Allison and Elliot Tantes.

Mary was a true friend to countless people over the years. The entire family always joked that she knew no strangers, and it was fun to see how long it would take for her to go anywhere because she was always stopped by someone to chat and catch up. No establishment was excluded – be it a grocery store, the doctor's office, or a restaurant, people were drawn to her and she to them.

Wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend – we are so thankful to have known and loved her and will forever miss Mary Katherine.

Visiting hours will be Tuesday November 21, 2023 from 5:00pm-7:00pm and Wednesday November 22, 2023 from 10:00am-11:00am. The service will be on Wednesday November 22, 2023 at 11:00am following visitation, all at Newcomer Funeral Home, 3047 Dublin-Granville Rd, Columbus, 43231

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Mary's name to St. Jude.