On August 25, 2013 our beloved, Mary Harriet Woernley Badin, passed away peacefully in her home at Spring Arbor Assisted Living of Leesburg, VA. She was married to the late Fred Paul Badin, a decorated war veteran, for nearly 60 years. Together they were blessed with a son, Charles Badin and two daughters, Karen Walker and Nancy Helmke along with their grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Mary was born in Buffalo, NY on May 2, 1924 to Blanche Armendinger and Louis Woernley.
Mary worked for Curtis Wright during the war where she managed the tool crib for the building of the P5 Aircraft and also worked as a bookkeeper for restaurants. She married the love of her life, Fred Badin on August 30, 1947. The two then moved to Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MD.

She would later return to her hometown of Buffalo, while Fred was serving in the Korean War. Mary enjoyed the duties of being a military wife despite the hardships of traveling into post-WWII countries, such as Japan. After a short return to Annandale, VA the family moved to Heidelberg, Germany and Verona, Italy. Mary discovered her artistic talents in Japan where she studied leather craft, sewed Geisha dolls and made pottery. In Germany, she studied how to paint ceramics. After the family moved back to Annandale, VA, Mary worked for Montgomery Ward and then Woodward & Lothrop.

Mary and Fred retired to Lake Shannondale, WVA, where Mary continued her passion of arts and crafts. With a focus on her newest passion, traditional rug hooking, she became a certified Pearl McGown rug hooking instructor. She leaves many treasures of her arts, including Bizzy Bee Ceramics. She spent countless hours as a member of the Lake Shannondale Craft Club, which helped raise scholarship funds at their annual Christmas in August Bazaar.

Mary was predeceased by her husband Fred Badin, a US Army Major, and her brother Donald Woernley of Buffalo, NY.

She is survived by her sister Rita Solomon and brother-in-law Richard Solomon of Buffalo, NY, nephew Ronald Woernley, and niece Ann Marie Miller. She is survived by her children: daughter Karen Walker and son-in-law Don Walker of Waterford, VA; daughter Nancy Helmke and son-in-law David Helmke of Hamilton, VA; and son Charles Badin and daughter-in-law Paula Badin of Round Hill, VA.

Mary is also survived by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Stephen Badin and wife Anabela of Leesburg, VA and their daughter Maria. Laura Brazelton and husband Trevor of Virginia Beach, VA and their children Katelyn, Christopher, and Hunter. Donnie Walker and wife Morgan of Waterford, VA and their children Barrie and Violet. Michael Helmke of Hamilton, VA. James Badin and Elizabeth of Linden, VA, and their children Renae & Samantha. Joseph Walker and wife Laura of Berryville, VA. Nicole Helmke of Manhattan, NY. As well as a host of extended family & friends.

A memorial service is scheduled for Thursday, August 29, 2013 starting with a 6:00 p.m. visitation and 7:00 p.m. service at the Colonial Funeral Home (201 Edwards Ferry Rd NE, Leesburg, VA 20176). Rev. Barnibus Schwenke of the Faithway Baptist Church of Leesburg will be officiating. Mary will later be laid to rest next to her husband at the Arlington National Cemetery located in Arlington, Virginia.