Mary Catherine Cambron | 64 | Brighton

Mary Catherine Cambron, 64, passed away at 8:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 15, 2023 at her home in Brighton, following a courageous battle with ovarian cancer.
She was born on Jan. 6, 1959 in Jerseyville and was the daughter of the late Hubert and Gertrude (Pluester) Woelfel.
Mary graduated with the Class of 1977 from Jersey Community High School and went on to obtain her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville.
Shortly after her graduation, she married Norman Cambron on Sept. 5, 1981 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Fieldon. Throughout their 42 years of marriage, they shared in the joys of raising their children and the memories created with their grandchildren that followed.
Mary began her nursing career at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Granite City, where she was employed for 18 years. She then accepted a position with Southwestern CUSD #9, serving as School Nurse for 20 years, prior to her retirement in 2019. Mary thoroughly enjoyed her time at Southwestern. Her Piasa Bird family became an extension of her own family. She treasured the many lasting friendships with faculty and staff members, as well as the bonds she created with the many students she cared for. In addition, she worked per diem as a nurse in the Intensive Care Unit at Jersey Community Hospital.
She enjoyed road trips and vacationing with her family, most especially the time they shared boating and spending time at the family lake house at Rend Lake.
Quilting quickly became one of Mary’s favorite hobbies and she enjoyed creating countless works of art for her family and friends, pieces that now will keep Mary’s legacy alive for generations to come.
Anyone who knew Mary knew of the joy that entertaining brought her. Hosting and serving her family brought her immense joy. The time that those occasions allowed her to spend with those she loved, is what she truly treasured the most.
She was fiercely devoted to her family and the title of “Mom” and “Grandma/G” was one she wore proudly. She was her children’s biggest cheerleader, honest when they needed a good life lesson, and boasted of their accomplishments at any opportunity. When it came to her grandchildren, they could do no wrong! When her grandson, Riley, took an interest in hockey, Mary too became Riley’s greatest supporter; and she relished in spending time with Audrey and Asher as often as she could whether it was boating at Rend Lake, making caramel corn, or snuggling in her recliner!
Surviving are her husband, Norman Cambron of Brighton; four children and a son in-law, Sarah and Chris Samaan of Oak Park, Jong Cambron of Brighton and Amy and Dorothy Cambron, both of Saint Louis, Missouri; her grandchildren, Riley Cambron of Brighton and Audrey and Asher Samaan of Oak Park; two sisters and a brother in-law, Cathy Palmer of Jerseyville and Pat and Kevin Tieman of Rosewood Heights; four brothers and sisters in-law, Paul and Fern Woelfel of Fieldon, Ray and Gayle Woelfel of Grafton, Jim and Rose Woelfel of Fieldon and Ed and Cheryl Woelfel of Grafton; a sister in-law, Rosie Woelfel of Jerseyville; as well as her brothers in-law and sisters in-law, Regina Cambron of Brighton, Jane Cambron of Brighton, Gerry Cambron of Dow, Joyce and Mike Hall of Brighton, Bert Reef of Brighton and Bill Jones of Dow.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Robert Woelfel; her father in-law and mother in-law, Francis “Frank” and Dorothy Cambron; five brothers in-law, Lee Palmer, Robert Cambron, Jack Cambron, Denny Cambron and Russell Cambron; as well as two sisters in-law, Patricia Reef and Pauline “Polly” Jones.
Memorial Visitation will be held from 4 – 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023 at Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville.
Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Friday, Sept. 22, 2023 at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Brighton, with Father William Kessler officiating.
In lieu of flowers or plants, memorials may be given to Southwestern Student’s Assistance Fund, in care of the funeral home.
Throughout her life, and while fighting her 7 year battle with cancer, Mary never once complained or sought empathy for the hand she had been dealt. Rather, she consistently pushed forward and made sure to live each day to the fullest. We can all take a lesson from Mary to live our lives with the same positivity and resilience. In honor of her zest for life, the family requests that those attending services keep your black outfits in the closet and wear bright colors in honor of Mary.
Memories may be shared with the family by visiting www.crawfordfunerals.com