Mary "Maggie" Cretella

Mary M. Cretella, also known as Maggie Cretella, 74, of Girard, Ohio, passed away at Windsor House on Sunday, January 14. Maggie was born April 22, 1949, in Youngstown, Ohio, the daughter of Philip A. and Mary E. (Caputo) Cretella. Upon her death, Maggie started the most important trip of her life — her journey to heaven to be with her family that preceded her in death.

She attended St. Rose School and was a 1967 graduate of Girard High School. She later attended Youngstown State University on a scholarship from the Diocese of Youngstown. She moved to Florida in 1970 and briefly lived with her Aunt Helen and Uncle Ray before relocating to Fort Lauderdale.

Her adventures continued as she later moved to the Florida Keys, FL, San Diego, CA, and South Lake Tahoe, NV, where she held various positions at Harrah’s Casino.

Maggie then relocated to Boston, MA, where she spent most of her adult life. She graduated cum laude from Boston College with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She worked for the US Department of Education as an advocate for human potential in support of student development programs.

She returned to Ohio to be closer to her mom and family, where she worked for the Columbus Foundation as a Program Officer. Most recently, Maggie worked at and retired from John Carroll University as the Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations. After retirement, she did consulting work for the Archdiocese for Military Services in Washington, DC.

Maggie volunteered with the United Way Boston, served as a Massachusetts mentor for children referred to the Division of Social Services, and facilitated a child assault prevention program in public schools throughout Massachusetts. She received the Monsignor Kerr Scholarship for academic achievement and community service while attending Boston College.

Organizations such as the US Department of Education, the US Department of Justice, Digital Equipment Corporation, and Students Against Driving Drunk (SADD) have all published her work. She co-authored an article called Sorority Women as Change Agents, published by The Higher Education Center.

The Fund for Conservation selected Maggie as its Columbus Foundation Staff Liaison. The foundation recognized Maggie for generously contributing her time and knowledge to enhance the quality of life in Central Ohio by supporting the responsible use of natural resources and ensuring their availability for future generations.

Maggie leaves to cherish her memory her sister Sara (Tom) Bova of Findlay, brother Philip “Rusty” Cretella, brother Frank (Karen) Cretella of Girard, brother-in-law John Kay, and nieces and nephews Jeff, Jon, Craig, Nick, Ashley, John, Joe, Frankie, and Katie, and many great nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, sister, Theresa Kay, and sister-in-law, Shirley Cretella.

A private memorial mass will take place at St. Rose Church. Maggie will be buried at the Girard City Cemetery.

Her family would like to sincerely thank the medical community for their compassion and professional care. In place of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or Shriners Hospitals for Children.