Mary was born April 21, 1951, in Glens Falls, New York to Gerald Lester and Adeline (Scarceletta) Willette and passed away at home surrounded by her family on Friday, February 24, 2023, having reached the age of 71 years, 10 months and 3 days.

Mary was raised and attended school in Hudson Falls, New York.  After high school while living on Cape Cod she met John Dodgen from Weatherford, Oklahoma, who was stationed at the naval base in Newport, Rhode Island.  After John was discharged from the Navy, he returned to Weatherford, and Mary soon joined him there. They were married August 25th, 1972. John resumed his education at Southwestern Oklahoma State University and Mary enrolled as well to continue her education. In January of 1974, they moved to Vermont to be near her family in upstate New York. In 1976, they moved to Owego, New York to attend Bible school in Johnson City, New York. Subsequently, they settled in upstate New York where their children were born and raised. Mary devoted 19 years as a teacher educating her children at home and served as a devoted homemaker. Her greatest interests revolved around her home. She also loved reading her Bible, knitting, traveling, and spending time with friends. In 1999, the family moved to Sand Springs, Oklahoma due to a job transfer and to be closer to family. After retirement, John and Mary moved to western Oklahoma. They were residing in Custer City at the time of Mary's death.

Mary is survived by her husband of 50 years, John Dodgen of their home in Custer City, Oklahoma; two sons, Silas Dodgen and wife, Michelle of Arapaho, Oklahoma and Gabriel Dodgen of Weatherford, Oklahoma; two daughters, Emily Schwinn and husband, Erich of Bixby, Oklahoma and Kimberly Siple of Detroit, Michigan; one sister, Bernadette Harrel of Garner, North Carolina; five brothers, Jerry Willette of Ft. Ann, New York, Tom Willette of Albany, New York, Paul Willette of Troy, New York, Peter Willette of South Glens Falls, New York; and John Willette of Elmendorf, Texas; and four grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents.