Mary C. Fulcer

Mary C. Fulcer, age 86, passed away at her Appleton home, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Appleton on December 20, 1938, daughter of the late Leo B and Geraldine (Heegeman) Livingston. Mary attended Appleton High School, and married Donald Fulcer on August 10, 1957 – enjoying more than sixty-seven beautiful years together.

Above all, Mary loved her role as a wife, mother, and homemaker. Over the years, she cared for not only her children, but eventually helped care for her grandchildren whenever needed. She worked as a nurse’s aide on the 3rd floor of St. Elizabeth Hospital for many years. She always had great stories to share of the varied tasks she did. Later in life, she felt blessed to have worked for over twenty years for Clean Power cleaning at AAL (Thrivent) and at the Thrivent Credit Union. She took great pride in keeping everything meticulous for both employees and customers alike. She retired from cleaning at the age of eighty.

Mary was an active volunteer throughout her life. She was a longtime, faithful member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church where she served on the funeral committee for many years. In fact, she was drying dishes following a funeral luncheon just days before becoming ill. She also assisted at mass as a eucharistic minister as well as taking communion to shut-ins. Mary was always a willing helper when it came to her children. She was a Cub Scout leader, a Girl Scout leader, and helped out wherever she could in their schools and with their activities. Over the years she literally did everything in her power to attend the events of her children and grandchildren: sports, arts or anything they were involved in. She was nearly always there to support and cheer them on. Mary was famous for sending her loved ones off with an energetic “thumbs up” which conveyed her love and belief in them before a significant event.

Some of her warmest memories came from the years that she and Don were PAC volunteers (you know, with the white shirt and maroon vests) at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center. Not only did Mary greatly enjoy her interactions with the patrons, she loved interacting with the team of volunteers. She shared her joy, kindness and care in whatever activity she was involved with. Her heart was outward focused.

Mary and Don enjoyed many years of spending the cold winter months in Myrtle Beach. They made lasting friendships while there. Walking the beach, looking for shells, feeling the warm sun, listening to the waves and watching the dolphins were Mary’s favorite parts of Myrtle Beach. Memories of time spent there were often shared and were dear to them.

She is survived by her loving husband of sixty-seven years: Don Fulcer of Appleton; four children: Jim (Dawn) Fulcer, Patty (Pat) Hennessey, John (Joan) Fulcer, and Sarah (Kevin) Klein. Her grandchildren are: Lindsay (Eric) Ropella, Brady (Becca) Fulcer, Kelly (Bill) Davies, Nick (fiancée Amelia) Fischer, Josh (Aimee) Fischer, Brian (Bethany) Fischer, Kevin (Kara) Fulcer, Stephanie Fulcer (Robert Graupner), and Kyle Klein; great-grandchildren are: Jay and Tori Davies; Davis and Avia Ropella; Vincent Schmidt; Juliet Fischer; Claire Fulcer; and Daisy Fulcer. They were all so precious to her. She was the great-grandma who was on the floor playing with them and singing nursery rhymes to them.

She has surviving in-laws on both sides of the family tree. They include Nancy Dean, Jack (Darlene) Fulcer, Bill (Christine) Fulcer, Ben (Cheryl) Fulcer, Kurt Fulcer, Glenn Kelly, and Anne-Grethe Livingston.

At Heaven’s door she greeted her parents, her in-laws: Warren and Selma (Lust) Fulcer; siblings Leo J. Livingston, Robert Livingston, Ted Livingston, and Janet Kelly; brother-in-law Karl Dean; two sons-in-law: Paul Weber and Jason Fischer; infant granddaughter Danielle Fischer; and nieces Lisa Fulcer and Karen Dean.

The memorial funeral liturgy for Mary will take place at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, located at 1810 N. McDonald Street in Appleton. Fr. Larry Seidl will officiate, and burial will take place at Highland Memorial Park at a later date. Visitation will take place on Tuesday at the church from 9:00 AM until the time of the service.

Mary was known by her family for showering them with gifts of socks each Christmas. In memory of this beautiful tradition, and in lieu of flowers or memorials, please bring some new socks when you attend the memorial service. They will be donated to an appropriate local charity.

~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you, Mom, for “living generously” as your tee shirts said. You taught us how to love unconditionally, give freely, and care deeply. We will always love you and carry your love in our hearts. Your legacy lives on through all of your family.

We love you, always.

“When you are looking at your mother, you are looking at the purest love you will ever know.”

 Charley Benetto