Mary S. Cain

Mary Margaret Schwenkler Cain, age 96 (8/29/24 to 6/2/21), of Elmira, daughter of the late Frances Przybylski and Anthony Schwenkler, passed away peacefully on June 2, 2021. Mary was a 1942 graduate of Elmira Free Academy. After graduating from the St. Joseph's School of Nursing in 1945, she completed her Bachelor's Degree in Nursing Education at Catholic University in Washington, D.C. Her teaching career began in 1948 at Georgetown Medical in D.C where she was a Clinical Pediatric Instructor. Relocating back home to Elmira in 1951, she married James Lynch Cain and returned to teaching at St. Joseph's School of Nursing. In 1975, she earned a M.S. in Education from Elmira College. Our Mother's radiant smile and devout spirit touched all who came into contact with her. Happiest with an infant in her arms or tending her vegetable garden at 1407 West Water (aka Cain's Glen View), her prescient legacy of a healthy, grounded lifestyle is valued by all of her offspring. Whether canning or mending with our Grandmother Frances Schwenkler, all work was joyful. Tirelessly she juggled home, career and pursuit of higher education in her life of charity and service to others. In her professional career as a pediatric nursing instructor, she was a blessing and an inspiration to her students. After her beloved husband, James Lynch Cain passed in 1984, she nurtured her connection to the Dominican Nuns and the Nuns of St. Joseph's Hospital. The last of her generation, she was a model daughter of Elmira. In spite of all of life's challenges, our Momma sustained her spiritual strength, joy and optimism. The pride of her life were her eight children and sixteen grandchildren. She was a bright light in our lives and will always be our inspiration. Mary was predeceased by her siblings Joseph, Anthony, Theresa, Jean, and Edward. She is survived by her children James Cain (Carol) of Bend, OR, Liza; Mary Cain of Santa Monica, CA; Ann Cain Crusade (Fred) of Dundee, NY, Sadie, Tanouce, Jacob; Beth Cain (predeceased by husband Frank "Turk" Rose) of Naples, FL/Dresden, NY, Mara, Frank and their brother Nunzio; Michael Cain (Marianne) of Elmira, NY, Sarah, Nicholas; Robert Cain (Valerie) of Carson City, NV/Lake Havasu, AZ, Riley; Margie Cain (Jerry) of Boulder, CO, Lucy, Charlie; John Cain (Ellen) of Elmira, William, Lauren, Luke, Martin. She is also survived by her many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, those wishing may make donations to gofund.me/98ef8236 to combat child hunger in the Finger Lakes and help bring clean water to DR Congo, or Catholic Charities of Elmira, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Mary on Saturday, August 28, 2021, 11:00 a.m., Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 1100 W. Church Street, Elmira. Private interment will take place at St. Peter & Paul's Cemetery.