Mary Alyce "Chum" Roth, 79 of Norwalk, OH died on Wednesday, December 16, 2020.  She was born April 18, 1941, in Sandusky, OH to Jane (Darby) & Joseph Gerhart; the 5th of seven children. She grew up in Sandusky, OH graduating from St. Mary's high school in 1959. After graduation, she received her Fine Arts degree from The University of Dayton. She married Donald C. Roth on July 4, 1964, and moved to Norwalk, OH where she remained a life-long resident. She was a devoted Catholic and a member of St. Paul Catholic Church.

She is survived by her husband of 56 years Donald; her children, Lucy (Brad) Hokes, Anne (Mark) DeWitt, Margaret "Peggy" Roth, Joseph (Theresa) Roth, Monica (Patrick) Nash, Paul (Colleen) Roth, William Roth, and Laura (Michael) Chase; grandmother to Matthew, Luke, Carl, Alex, Gabrielle, Mitchell, Nathan, Cecelia, Marianne, Charlie, Andrew, Orion, Emerson, Delaney, Molly, Willomina, Conrad, Sylvester, and Beatrice; 7 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. She was also "grandma" to numerous exchange students.

She is also survived by her sisters, Elizabeth Smith, Kathleen Russell, Frances Hoffman, Jeanie (Paul) Roth, Joan (Eric) Magnuson, sister's in-law, Marcia Roth, Angela Roth, Virginia Gerhart.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her in-laws Florence (Brengartner) and Richard Roth; granddaughter, Willomina Chase; brother, Gregory Gerhart; brother in-laws, Robert Roth, Charles Roth, and Victor Smith; and niece, Michelle (Roth) Crum.

She loved her children unconditionally. Whether she was chauffeuring one of her kids to their numerous athletic or social events, making costumes, baking, or doting on her grandchildren, Chum was always helping others. From hosting bridal or baby showers, planning birthday parties, and even catering weddings, she was always there to help. If you were a friend to her or her children, you were family to her.

She loved reading, crocheting, scrabble (she cheated), drawing and baking.

She made the best chocolate cake! If you ever had it, you would agree.

She loved having sleepovers with her grandkids, bargain shopping, and gambling trips with her sisters and sister's in-law. She was a ruthless card player; even though she ended up on "the wall of shame" numerous times. She was Don's first passenger when he got his pilot's license.

She was kind and generous, hard-working, and committed to her family. She encouraged everyone around her to be the best version of themselves. To her, you were "the nicest little (insert name) I know". These words were always accompanied by her famous "Chum Slap". Ask anyone who ever sat next to her; she did it to everyone. She will be dearly missed.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, December 20, 2020 at Walker-Eastman-Heydinger Funeral Home, 98 W. Main St., Norwalk from 4 – 7 pm.  Visitors to the funeral home are reminded to bring and wear a mask and be prepared for the possibility of having to wait outside once current capacity limits are reached until guests exit and adequate room for social distancing is restored.  A funeral mass will be held at St. Paul Catholic Church, 91 E Main St., Norwalk on Tuesday, December 22, 2020 beginning at 1:30 pm with Fr. Michael Bialorucki officiating.  For those unable to attend the mass it can be livestreamed by visiting: www.stpaulchurch.org and clicking on the "livestream" link.  Inurnment will follow the service in St. Paul Cemetery.  Memorial contributions can be made to Abigail Services 3900 Laylin Rd, Norwalk OH or The Norwalk Arts Center, P.O. Box 656 Norwalk, OH.  Expressions of sympathy to the family may also be expressed online by visiting: www.walkereastmanheydingerfh.com

Abigail Pregnancy Services
3900 Laylin Road, Norwalk OH 44857