Mary Irene Milberger, 80, of Waco, Texas passed away November 26, 2016, at a local hospital. Mass of Christian burial will be 10:00 am Thursday, December 1, 2016 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with Rev. Joseph F. Geleney, Jr. and Rev. Angelo Bertini as Concelebrants, with burial to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday, November, 30 2016, beginning at 6:00 pm, Vigil Service will be at 6:30 pm with Rev. Joseph F. Gelaney, Jr. and Deacon David Morales officiating at OakCrest funeral Home.

Ms Milberger was born in Waco, Texas May 4, 1936 to John Louis and Gladys Mae (Sutton) Milberger. She was educated in Waco schools, and graduated from Waco High School in 1954, and from Baylor University with a BA degree in 1958. She worked at Providence Hospital in the school of nursing from 1958 to 1960. She became Director of Volunteers from 1960 to 1962 and reorganized the Women’s Auxiliary as well as the teenage volunteers at that facility.

She joined the religious order of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul from 1962 to 1967, serving in the various capacities in in St. Louis, MO, Chicago, IL, and Covington, KY.

She received her Masters Degree in Social Work from Worden School of Social Service, from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, Texas in 1970 and worked for the Bexar County Hospital District as a social worker and was chief social worker of the Out-patient Clinic from 1970 to 1973.

She returned to Waco in 1973 and was employed by the Veterans Administration Medical Center as an inpatient social worker primarily in psychiatry for over 23 years, retiring in 1994. After that she worked in pastorial care at St. Catherine’s Center until 1997, also did volunteer work. She was President of the local social work unit for two years as well as member of the board of the Texas State Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. She served as delegate to the National Delegate Assembly of NASW.

She was a member of the Women’s Athletic Council at Baylor University and a contributor toward Baylor Athletic Scholarships and supporter of many athletic programs, especially the Lady Bears Basketball program.

She was an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church serving as president of the parish board in 1993 and 1994 as well as a member of the board for fifteen years. She was chair of the Liturgy and Music Committee for fifteen years and was Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion for many years.

She was preceded in death by her parents and cousins, Joe Frank Milberger and William Bruce Sutton.

She is survived by cousin; William Milberger, III of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Mary would like to especially thank Linda Hendricks for her loving care and assistance.

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