Mary G. Deet

LITTLE VALLEY — Mary G. Deet, 79, of Little Valley, passed away Thursday (Aug. 20, 2026) at Olean General Hospital.

She was born Dec. 29, 1946, in Salamanca, the daughter of the late George and Mary Bowen Raecher.

Mary graduated from Ellicottville Central School in 1965 and then went on to graduate from Bryant and Stratton Business Institute in 1966.

She worked at Clark Bros. in Olean before, then in 1968 started working for Cattaraugus County, where she worked for the welfare department before starting as secretary for County Clerk Mynetta Fluker for over eight years. She then was called by Sheriff Charles Hill to come work for the sheriff’s office to take statements as needed.

In 1978 she went on to serve as secretary to the sheriff and served for Sheriff Hill, Sheriff John Kalamanka, Sheriff Jerry Burrell and Sheriff Ernest Dustman. She retired at the county in 1998.

Mary received many awards from the federal government for her service to the county. She was named Employee of the Year from the Cattaraugus County sheriff department heads.

On Aug. 18, 1970, she met the love of her life, Robert M. Deet. They were engaged the same year and were married July 24, 1971, at the Methodist Church in Ellicottville. Bob brought the blessings of four children to Mary. They became her children also, and then gave them nine grandchildren, John, Christine, Kelly, David, Christina, Joshua, Ryan, Tyler and Karli; and several great-grandchildren.

She is survived by three of her children, Robert (Roberta) Deet Jr., Raymond (Hazel) Deet and Darlene Esperson; and predeceased by Marilou Frederickson. Also surviving are three siblings, George (Jan) Raecher of Goldsboro, N.C., Charle Raecher of Salamanca and Susan DiPaola of Olean; and several nieces and nephews.

When Mary lost her husband  in 2018, she lost the love of her life.They did everything together, building Christmas decorations which were seen in their front yard every year. They won many awards, and Mary always said it was the hardest time of year for her, because those decorations couldn’t be set up. They were often seen walking, always holding hands and spent a extremely devoted life together. They had been married 47 years shortly before Bob passed away.

Friends may call from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday (Aug. 27, 2026) at the Mentley Funeral Home Inc., 411 Rock City St. in Little Valley. Funeral Services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday from the funeral home. Burial will be next to her husband  in Little Valley Rural Cemetery.

She wanted to thank all of the friends and neighbors who helped her getting to Dr. appointments, getting medicine, receiving groceries and many other errands after Bob passed away.