SAVANNAH, GEORGIA - Lieutenant Colonel Mary Witt Wexler, U.S. Air Force (Ret.), 61, of Savannah, Georgia, wife of Colonel Edward Irwin Wexler, U. S. Air Force (Ret.), died Saturday morning, November 28, 2009.

Born in Savannah, Georgia, she was a daughter of Julia Deason Witt and the late Richard Edward Witt.  Mary was a graduate of Savannah High School and earned an Associates and Bachelor of Science Degrees from Armstrong Atlantic State University.  She earned a Master’s Degree in Health Services Management from Webster University and received her certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner from Georgia Southern University.  Mary began her military career with a direct commission in the Georgia Air National Guard, 165th Tactical Hospital, in 1975.  As she progressed through rank, she was granted special authority by the Air National Guard to perform duties as a Nurse Practitioner.  She deployed around the world in service to the Air Force including deployment in Desert Shield and the Macon Floods.  She was also instrumental in coordinating medical support for the Centennial Olympics in Savannah.  She was selected Outstanding Nurse of the Year, by the Air National Guard in 1982.  She retired in 2000 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel after 25 years of service.

Mary began her distinguished career as a nurse at Candler Hospital in 1975.  As she increased her education she worked through many areas of the hospital, including the Emergency Room and Intensive Care Unit.  As one of the first Nurse Practitioners in Savannah, she worked with Dr. James C. Metts, Jr. and acted as Deputy Coroner for Chatham County. Later in her career she worked with Dr. Paul S. Bradley and retired from Candler Medical Group in 2007. She was highly devoted to her many patients as well as highly respected by the medical community.

Mary was a Life Member of the National Guard Association of the United States and Georgia.  She was a long-standing member of the Air Force Association.

Surviving are her husband of 42 years, Colonel Edward I. Wexler, U. S. Air Force (Ret.) of Savannah, Georgia; three daughters, Susan Darling and her husband, Eric Darling, of Savannah, Sara Bram and her husband, Captain (Chaplain) Michael Bram, stationed at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, and Sharon A. Walter and her husband, Michael Walter, of Denver, Colorado; her mother, Julia D. Witt, of Tybee Island, Georgia; her sister, Barbara Gustin and her husband, Dr. William S. Gustin, of Savannah, and five grandchildren, Evelyn Darling, Elijah Darling, Devorah Bram, Chaya Bram, and Simone Walter, as well as many nieces and nephews.

The funeral service, with full military honors, will be held at 11 o’clock on Tuesday, December 1, 2009, at the graveside, Bonaventure Cemetery, conducted by Rabbi Arnold Mark Belzer.

The family will sit Shiva at the residence immediately after the service and from 6 until 8 o’clock Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings.

Remembrances: Georgia National Guard Family Support Foundation, Inc. – Suite 203, 5019 Highway 42, Ellenwood, Georgia 30294-3438 or the United Way of the Coastal Empire – Post Office Box #2946, Savannah, Georgia 31402.