WEST CHESTER TOWNSHIP

9113 CINCINNATI-DAYTON ROAD

WEST CHESTER OH 45069

MEDIA RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT PERSON: BARBARA WILSON, 304-4701

WEST CHESTER MOURNS THE LOSS OF BELOVED PARKS

AMBASSADOR

The woman known affectionately as Miss Mary to generations of West

Chester residents passed away Saturday at her home.

Mary Raffel, 68, touched many lives as recreation and activities

coordinator for West Chester. She established programs like WOLF,
Nature Basket and Stargazing to bring people to local parks and instill
an appreciation for nature and conservation.

“Miss Mary shared so unselfishly her great passion for wildlife and
conservation with countless children,” said West Chester Township
Administrator Judi Boyko. “She will be missed by us all.”

Mary joined West Chester parks in 1988. Throughout her career, she
visited hundreds of local classrooms, preschools and nursing homes
sharing her love for animals and the environment. Children delighted in
visits from Miss Mary’s snake and listened eagerly as she strolled
alongside them in the creek at Keehner Park.

Miss Mary led an effort to save an 1833 log cabin that had been
abandoned in Preble County. Local school children saved their loose
change and ultimately were able to re-locate the cabin to its home in
Keehner Park. The Cabin has become a home for programs such as
Pioneer Christmas which Mary hosted earlier this month.

“Mary will be remembered fondly in this community because of the

connection she made with children,” said West Chester Community
Services Director Gordon Perry. “She has left a footprint on our
community that will remain forever.”

Mary was a great supporter of local history efforts and was an active
member of the West Chester-Union Township Historical Society. Her
archeological digs along the former Miami-Erie Canal gained popularity
quickly and inspired the “budding historian” in all who participated.
She was an active member of the Grassy Run Historical Re-enactment
group that travelled the state living in the tradition of the early 1800s
and she was an advocate of Native American causes.

“At heart Mary was a teacher and West Chester’s parks were her
classroom. The community will always appreciate the contribution she
made,” Mrs. Boyko said.

Mary Raffel is survived by her husband, James; a daughter, Sarah; and

son, John Andrew. She was a beloved step-mother and grandmother.

A memorial service in honor of Mary Raffel will be held from 11 a.m.

until noon, Friday, Jan. 2nd at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church
on Cincinnati-Dayton Road.

Miss Mary’s family asks that memorial contributions be made to The

Community Foundation/West Chester Parks Trust Fund to support
further restoration of the Cabin in the Clearing at Keehner Park.
Contributions may be mailed to: The Community Foundation, 5641
Union Centre Drive, West Chester, OH 45069.