Mary Teresa Fought

Mary Teresa (Cussen) Fought, 89, of Delphos passed away on September 9, 2021 at her residence surrounded in love. She was born May 8, 1932, in Ballygeele, Newcastle West, County Limerick Ireland to Jack and Nora (Deely) Cussen. On October 11, 1967, she was united in marriage to Robert Dean Fought. He preceded her in death on May 9, 2007. Mary is survived by a daughter Nora Fought of Delphos, step-daughter Cathy (Mike) Ruhlen of Nebo, North Carolina, step-son Steve Fought of Toledo, four grandchildren, Christopher (Catherine) Ruhlen, Tara Ruhlen, Kelly (Ben) Rude and Emily (Ryan) Ebbeskotte, and five great-grandchildren, Anna, Casey and Keira Ruhlen, Conor and Logan Rude, brothers John Cussen, Martin (Kate) Cussen, sister Noreen Foley, sisters-in-law Maire Cussen and Kathleen Cussen; and dozens of nieces and nephews in the states and abroad and her special furry, faithful companion Oscar. She was preceded in death by a sister Kathleen (Kitty) Geoghegan, brothers Seamus (Jimmy) Cussen, Michael (Mick) Cussen, William Cussen, sisters-in-law Marilyn Utrup, Sara Cussen and brothers-in-law Ronnie Utrup, Jim Schneider, Sean Geoghegan and Patsy Foley.

As told by Mary: “I was the oldest daughter in the family. My mom died when I was young, so I left school at the age of 14 to help take care of my seven siblings. I remember fondly knitting hats and sweaters for them all and sewing their clothes. One of my favorite hobbies when I was young was riding my bike everywhere. Many of my bike rides were to Saturday night dances in Newcastle West, Ashford, the Old Mill and Tournafulla. I loved to dance. We would do the quickstep, the waltz and Siege of Ennis. My first job was milking cows for a farmer at 14 years of age. You would have to be careful not to get stepped on. I wasn’t so lucky as a cow once stepped on my toe – an injury I had forever. I next worked at Listons Pub and then Kennedy’s – a drapery and clothing store. In Monagea I took another job working for farmer Creagan. I milked the cows and took care of his mother. I spent several years working at a grocery shop in Strand County Limerick before moving to London in my 20s to work for the Imperial London Hotels as an inventory manager. I spent ten wonderful years in London. I met the Beatles and Rolling Stones and Royalty, of course, but the most important person I met was an American named Bob. He was visiting a friend in the Hotel lounge and asked if he could see me after the bar closed. I told him no. Persistent fella…he came back a few days later and asked me out again. I said yes.  While we were dating, he got stationed in Thailand and California, so we wrote letters back and forth. We got married October 11, 1967. Soon thereafter, we moved to the states where I met some of the best people. I took what would be my last job working as a custodian at Delphos Jefferson High School. I enjoyed every year I spent there. Seeing the kids and staff was my favorite part. They kept me young. I worked there for 31 years and retired in 2011 but continued to volunteer until 2015 before finally retiring for good.” 

A funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, September 13, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, the Rev. Tony Vera officiating. Burial will follow in Walnut Grove Cemetery.

Friends may call from 2 - 6 p.m. on Sunday, September 12 at Weber Funeral Home, 1840 E. Fifth Street Delphos, where a Parish Wake Service will be held at 6 p.m.  Memorial contributions can be made to St. John’s Parish Foundation or Delphos City Schools Bob and Mary Fought Wildcat Fund to assist students with unmet needs.  Online condolences may be shared at www.weberfh.net.

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