Mary Catherine (Balliet) Dietz Dent

Mary Catherine (Balliet) Dietz Dent, age 98, of Danville passed away Tuesday morning February 6, 2024 at Vintage Knolls in Danville. 

Born in Milton on August 30, 1925, she was the daughter of the late Ralph and Sarah (Bordner) Balliet. 

After graduating from Danville High School in 1943, Mary began working as an operator for Bell Telephone and continued working until her marriage to Edward K Dietz in 1945. After her husband’s death in 1954, she returned to work for Bell until 1957 when she was hired to be Chief Switchboard Operator at Geisinger Medical Center until her retirement in 1979. While at the Medical Center she met and later married Paul C. Dent in 1972.  

Mary enjoyed knitting, particularly with her friends at Swisher’s Yarn Basket and the knitting group at Shiloh church where she was a member for many years. She volunteered at Maria Joseph Manor and the Geisinger Medical Center. She enjoyed being a homemaker and being with her family. 

Following the retirement of her husband Mary and Paul spent a number of years enjoying winters in Stuart, Florida. While there she enjoyed the condo’s many activities and also volunteered at Martin Memorial Hospital.

Mary was preceded in death by her first husband, Edward K. Dietz in March 1954; by her second husband, Paul C. Dent on October 30, 2005; by a stepson, P. Richard “Dick” Dent, and his wife Regina, and her sister, Anna Campbell. 

Mary is survived by daughter Linda, wife of Jay Bush, of Pittsburgh, son Edward R. Dietz, and his wife Louise, of Seaville, NJ; four stepchildren: David E. Dent, of Danville, Carole, wife of Kenneth W. Mills, of Lightstreet, Linda, wife of Larry F. Creasy, of Lightstreet, and Frank C. Dent, and his wife, Connie, of Lightstreet; five grandchildren: Jay Bush, Matthew Bush, Ed Dietz, Megan Balinge, Rebecca Dietz; five great-grandchildren; twelve step-grandchildren; twenty-seven step-great-grandchildren; and twelve step-great-great grandchildren; and a brother, Ralph Balliet, and his wife Dee, of Greencastle.  

Additionally, she is survived by six special nephews Bob, Jim, Den, Mike, Tim, and Steve Campbell. 

Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 11 a.m. in the Roat-Kriner Funeral Home, 1133 Bloom Road, Danville, with her pastor, Rev. Mary B. Schmotzer, officiating. Interment will follow in Odd Fellows Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday from 6-8 p.m. and Saturday from 10-11 a.m. 

Flowers will be provided by the family. Memorial gifts may be made to Shiloh United Church of Christ 512 Bloom St Danville PA 17821 or the organization of your choice.