dr Mary Ann Dreher of Tierra Verde, FL passed away Monday June 6, 2022. During the span of her 85 years, she received four degrees, raised two children, was a college professor for nursing, created two companies, and traveled the world. She dedicated her life to helping nursing students succeed, pass their nursing exams, and therefore enter the field of nursing. Mary was born in Hagerstown MD on Oct 14, 1936, to Harvey Miller and Nellie McKinley. She graduated North Hagerstown High School in 1954 and then went on to receive her Associates of Nursing at Townson State Teachers College in 1957. She received her BSN and MSN specializing in medical-surgical nursing, and then her EdD in instructional technology from Northern Illinois University . She loved spending time on the beach in Ocean City MD where she met her husband, James Dreher. They were married on April 4, 1959, and moved to Villa Park, IL. She had two children, James Jr. and Linda who inherited her ambitions, love of education, and service to others. Mary was a professor of nursing for the College of DuPage in IL for 25 years. She created her first company developing computer-assisted modules for nursing students who were taking courses at the College of DuPage. This resulted in the College of DuPage continuing to use her modules in their nursing program as well as marketing them to other schools. In the late 1990’s, Mary realized the internet was going to be an important part of the education process and created her second company EDGT.com which is still providing education, testing, and tutorials to thousands of nursing students around the US. If you knew the pleasure of speaking to Mary, you were in the presence of a gentle, pure soul, who shined with love, compassion, and goodness. She was loved by everyone that knew her. Her grandchildren were the light of her life. She made sure she spent time with each one of them individually. Each grandchild would come home with wonderful stories from their visits with their grandmother. Her love for them pierced their hearts and her continued presence can be seen in her grandchildren. Mary is survived by her husband James Dreher, two children James Dreher Jr. and Linda Ely, three grandchildren Rachel Saladino, Zachery Ely, Dorinda Ely, her three great grandchildren and her sister Wilda Streat. In lieu of flowers, you can make a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association. A visitation will be held on Friday June 17, 2022, from 3PM to 6PM with a service at 6PM. At Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 44 S. Mill St., Naperville, IL 60540. For more information, please call 630-355-0213.
Published by Naperville Sun on Jun. 12, 2022.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315ATo plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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