Mary Beth Schuder died at her Lexington, Virginia, home on Friday, March 9, 2012, at the age of 66.

She was born September 7, 1945 in Hamilton, Ohio, the daughter of the late Thelma and Larry Gersbach.

She is survived by her husband of twenty eight years, Robert M. Schuder; sisters, Sandy Gersbach of Renssaelaer; Indiana, Linda Gersbach of Hamilton, Ohio; and Anne Gersbach of Hamilton Ohio; Brother, Larry Gersbach (Nancy) of Hamilton, Ohio; and Nieces, Michele Cooper, Joey Flowers, Kristi Haag, Liz Manford, Emily Clark, and Lauren Gersbach; and nephew, Andy Gersbach.

She graduated from Notre Dame High School in Hamilton, Ohio, class of 1963 and Edgecliff University with a degree in Social Work in 1967.

Prior to moving to Lexington, she was Activities Director for fifteen years at Clovernook Senior Care Center and Beechknoll Senior Care Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. After moving to Lexington in 1994, Mary Beth immersed herself in volunteer activities and was soon loved by the entire community.

As a Rockbridge Area Hospice volunteer, she was instrumental in organizing the first Hospice Hustle fundraiser in 1996 and rode as Co-Grand Marshall of the event in 2011.

As a docent at the Stonewall Jackson House Museum, she received their highest honors - the Barksdale Award in 1998 and the Gentry Award in 2010 - for individuals epitomizing the spirit of volunteerism, dedication and enthusiasm.

She was a committed member of the Rockbridge Area Master Gardeners Association.

For the Washington and Lee University Campus Kitchen program (A Hunger Relief Agency), she regularly delivered dinners to The Manor at Natural Bridge.

She was eagerly-awaited there as a favorite friend who initiated recreational programs, brought her own bingo games, and always arrived with special treats.

She was an active supporter of the Susan B. Komen Race for the Cure, giving constant support to women dealing with the challenges of cancer. And she was a supporter of the Rockbridge Area Free Clinic, encouraging introductory group visits to the center. She regularly volunteered at the Annual Rockbridge County Christmas Baskets program, packing food and gifts for needy children.

She was a fixture at the Annual Palmer Ice Cream Supper, supporting the Palmer Community Center. With an enormous capacity for caring and giving, her energy was catchy, her interests widely varied and her curiosity boundless.

She was a member of the Blue Ridge Readers Book Club, The Thursday Afternoon Swim Team and a knitting group called The Knit Wits. She was an avid outdoors-woman, a walker, a nature lover, and gourmet cook, a lover of history, museums, art, good books, music, travel, exploration, and above all, people. She wanted to do it all, see it all and share it all with her family and friends. There was a shining star in a spinning universe. There was Mary Beth.

She was a member of Saint Patrick Catholic Church, Lexington, Virginia.

A celebration of life will be conducted 2 p.m. Sunday, March 11, 2012 at the Lexington Presbyterian Church with the Rev. William Klein officiating. There will be a reception following the service at Murray Hall. The family will receive friends 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, March 10, 2012 at Bolling, Grose and Lotts Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Rockbridge Area Hospice, P.O. Box 948, Lexington, VA 24450.

Arrangements by Bolling, Grose, & Lotts Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Buena Vista, VA.