Bouncing Baby Beth was born on April 10, 1966 to Helen and Edward Guenther. They took her from West Hudson Hospital in Kearny to their family home at 56 Hamilton Avenue. Mary Beth lived there with her partner, Marty Wilson, until December 6, 2024 when a fire gutted their home. Her funeral details will be scheduled in the near future. This obituary will be updated.
Mary Beth was the purest, most generous person anyone could ever meet. And, most people did! Whether they saw her on her nightly walk on the Hudson-Bergen line, being dragged up West Bennett Avenue by Bella, the dog that weighed more than Bethie, at the law office where she dedicated all of her adult life as a law librarian and book keeper, or at the various hospitals where she volunteered - first as a teenaged Candy Striper to an adult who helped admit patients to the Emergency Room.
As a freshman at Queen of Peace, Mary Beth met the dearest friends; friends who lasted her lifetime. The girls got together every chance they got, having dinner at local restaurants and never missing a Christmas grab bag.
When “the big man joined the band” on Hamilton Avenue, Bethie and Marty spent their evenings re-enacting “Chopped.” They made delicious dishes, and those that needed improvement. When she cooked solo, Bethie was famous for her troughs of fruit salad and infamous for her stuffed mushrooms. In addition to their fondness for cooking, Bethie and Marty shared a love of classic rock and traveling.
The luckiest people, however, were the members of her family, whom Bethie adored with her whole heart. Predeceased by her biggest fan, her brother Edward, Mary Beth leaves her sister, Kathleen O’Connell, and brother John Guenther. Bethie saw Kath and John as heroes and made certain to always highlight their very best qualities. She also leaves behind Ruth Ann Scott, her cousin and best friend. However, none of these adults could hold a candle to her “six-pack” - two nieces and four nephews. Meggen Baughman, Erin O’Connell, Edward Guenther, Thomas Guenther, Kyle Guenther, and Ian Guenther were the recipients of countless meals, meaningful gifts, and unending adoration. Mary Beth is also survived by her great-nieces and great-nephews by whom the six-pack felt vaguely threatened. Teddy, Fiona, Peter, Harry, Maeve, Mara, Tommy, George, and Jayne worshipped their great-aunt.
Mary Beth will be deeply missed by everyone who was fortunate enough to know her.
In lieu of flowers, please celebrate Bethie’s generosity by making a donation to your favorite charity.