Mary Magdalene (Ware) Dean, 97, passed away on Monday, April 13, 2026, peacefully at her home in North Chelmsford, MA, with her daughter, Shirley, and Ann, who is like a daughter, by her side. She was born on February 13, 1929, in Covington, Tennessee, to Samuel (Ed) and Sarah P. (Harris) Ware. She was the second-eldest of eight daughters and dutifully watched over her younger sisters throughout their lives. In 1967, Mary married Oswald Dean, and their marriage lasted for nine years. They remained friends until his passing.

At a very young age, Mary accepted Christ into her heart and devoted her life to serving the Lord, faithfully walking with God and showing His love to all she met. In her early years in Elkhart, she served as the Sunday School Superintendent and secretary, belonged to the Baptist Training Union, and was a member of the gospel chorus at Cannan Baptist Church. She also held various roles in establishing the Community Missionary Baptist Church. She later became a member of First Baptist Church, where she was involved with Child Evangelism Fellowship. Not only was Mary faithful to the Lord in service through the church, but she also touched many other lives as she worked. She worked for many years at Elkhart General Hospital as a nurse’s aide, then at Chicago Telephone Supply (CTS) until she retired. Other positions held include elevator operator, election poll worker, and nurse’s aide for home health care. As a pastime, she enjoyed playing Chinese Checkers and loved doing jigsaw puzzles and word searches.

Later in life, she lived with her beloved daughter Shirley in New Jersey, where they were members of Calvary Baptist Church in Morristown, NJ, and their mother-daughter relationship grew even stronger. When they moved to Massachusetts, Mary became a member of Shiloh Baptist Church in Medford, MA. The Lord shone through Mary every day, and her nurturing and caring spirit built up all who were around her. She was called “Mom” by many.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents, Samuel (Ed) and Sarah P. Ware, her son, Stanley E. Ware, and her sisters, Anna Pauline (Ware) Rolling, Erma L. Ware, Ethel E. Ware, Ruth E. Ware, and Rose M. Ware-Henderson.

She leaves to cherish fond memories her daughters, Shirley E. Ware, North Chelmsford, MA, and Dawn (Robert) E. Dunson, Pensacola, FL;

stepdaughters, Rosemary Dean, Chicago, Illinois, and Linda (Vernon) Black, Valparaiso, Indiana. Granddaughters, Susan E. Ware, St. Paul, MN, and Kayla N. Dunson, Pensacola, FL, and sisters, Sarah E. Ware and Catherine Ware, Elkhart, IN. Her nieces, Cynita A. Garrett, Grand Rapids, MI and Tracey R. Henderson, McKinney, Texas, and nephews, Mark (Rebecca) D. Henderson, Elkhart, IN, and Christopher (Jessica) D. Henderson. Great-nephews, Lyman (Cassandra) Garrett, St. Louis, MO, Courtney Garrett, Grand Rapids, MI, and Javonte Henderson, Dallas, TX. Great-nieces: Ashley Garrett, St. Louis, MO; J’wana Johnson, San Antonio, TX; and Rachael and Hannah Henderson, Elkhart, IN. Daughters in heart, Ann Lemon, California, Lisa Bole, Pasadena, Texas, and a host of family and friends.

Homegoing Service will be held at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart, IN 46514, on Friday, April 24th, with visitation from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and service beginning at 12:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to your favorite organization in advance of spreading God’s Word.