Mary Patricia Wheeling, 76, of Salem, VA, passed away in the company of loved ones on Tuesday, July 21, 2020, at Brookdale Salem in Salem, VA, after a prolonged illness. She was deeply loved by her family and in the care of Good Samaritan Hospice. She was born on Monday, October 4, 1943, in Erie, Pennsylvania, to the late John W. Vorberger Sr. and Audrey L Manning. Mary Pat graduated from Academy High School, Erie, Pennsylvania, and later earned her nursing degree from Dabney Lancaster College earning her title of Registered Nurse. From the 1970’s up until 2015 Mary Pat served the people of Virginia as a Registered Nurse, caring for others and establishing many life-long relationships and friendships over her 40 years of nursing working with Roanoke Memorial Hospital, Lewis Gale Hospital, and Salem Health and Rehabilitation Center. In the years gone by, she cherished vacationing with family at the New River campgrounds and Emerald Isle, North Carolina. Mary Pat loved to read, shop, and spend time with her beloved pet dogs Rambo, and Rose. Always quick of wit she loved a good joke, enjoyed many genres of music, was loving and loyal to family and friends. She had a special way of helping others smile early and often. She would use terms such as made in the shade and nifty, both terms that easily apply to her lifelong success and persona. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Harold L. Wheeling, and dear brother, Michael C. Vorberger Sr.
Surviving family members include her children, Spencer L. Waddell Jr. and wife, Courtney of Virginia, and Travis L. Waddell and wife, Kelly of Texas; brothers, John W. Vorberger and wife, Mary of Pennsylvania, and James F. Vorberger I and wife, Bonnie of South Carolina; five grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; and several nieces and nephews.
A funeral service to celebrate her life will be held at 10:00 am on Wednesday, July 29, 2020, at the John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home, 305 Roanoke Blvd, Salem, VA 24153. Burial will follow at Old Dominion Memorial Gardens, 7271 Cloverdale Road, Roanoke, VA 24019.
Friends may visit with the family at the funeral home from 9:30 a.m. until the service hour.
The family would also like to express special thanks to Amanda Dickerson Martin, Dr. William Ball, the staff at Roanoke Memorial Hospital, Salem Health and Rehabilitation Center, Brookdale Salem Assisted Living and Good Samaritan Hospice.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.johnmoakey.com.