Maryanne Obringer Alter, 79, of Fort Wayne, passed away Sunday October 18, 2026, at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne. She was born on August 20, 1947, at Mercy Hospital, Elwood, Indiana, as the only daughter of John Henry Obringer and Rita Jane Snyder Obringer, who both preceded her in death. She married Thomas Edgar Alter on June 6, 1970, at Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church, New Haven, Indiana. Their over 56 year marriage was filled with love and devotion to each other. Their marriage was an inspiration to all those who witnessed their love and commitment to each other.

Maryanne was a 1965 graduate of Central Catholic High School and a 1969 graduate of then Saint Francis College. She received her bachelor's degree in education and taught at Highland Terrace Elementary School in New Haven for one year after graduation. She moved to Bloomington, Indiana, while her husband finished his legal education. While there she taught at Hall Elementary School in Hall, Indiana. Upon returning to Fort Wayne with her husband where he started his legal career, she spent the next 15 years with her husband raising their family. Maryanne and Thomas have 4 children, all of whom survive: Thomas Edgar II (Wife Marianna and children Jamilia Grace and Nikolaus Joseph) of San Marcos, Texas; John Carl (Wife Devan Holmes Appleby and daughter Hazel Alter Appleby) of Brooklyn, New York; Molly Anne Schwartz (Husband Daryn Matthew and children Henry Thomas, Lily Elizabeth, Charles Rodney, and Elsie Caroline) of Fort Wayne; and Sarah Jane Darling (Husband Chad Joseph and children Mary Rita, Joseph Lloyd, and Sadie Jane) of Fort Wayne.

She is also survived by her brothers J. Stephen Obringer of Henderson, Nevada; Paul Matthew Obringer of Fort Wayne; Denis Edward Obringer of Fort Wayne; and Joseph Francis Obringer (Wife Zhou Yi) of Seattle, Washington. Maryanne is also survived by many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brother Michael Joseph Obringer of Fort Wayne.

In 1986, the family moved to Houston, Texas, where she taught one year at Petrosky Elementary School, then 4 years at Saint Anne's Catholic School. Upon returning to Fort Wayne in 1991, she finished her teaching career at Queen of Angels Catholic School before retiring in 2013. While at Queen of Angels she won a Light of Learning Award. After retirement, Maryanne helped care for several of her grandchildren while her daughters were able to return to work. Maryanne enjoyed knitting and completing sticker by number books. She always had a couple of books she was reading, and she loved cooking and trying new recipes. Maryanne’s faith was important to her, praying the Rosary daily. Above all else, Maryanne loved her family. She had a beautiful gift for making the little things matter. She planned everything to the detail, paying attention to what others loved, making you feel loved and special. Every birthday, holiday, family gathering, and celebration was made more meaningful because of the love and care she poured into it. She created memories her family will treasure forever.

Her ten grandchildren held a very special place in her heart, and she shared a unique bond with each of them. Some of their most cherished memories were made during sleepovers, baking days, cookie decorating, shopping trips, and countless ordinary moments that became extraordinary simply because she was there. To her, each grandchild was exceptional, and she had a beautiful way of making them believe it. Her greatest gift was making everyone around her feel loved.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30am Thursday October 22, 2026, in St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 4916 Trier Rd. with visitation from 9:30-10:30am in the church. Visitation also from 4-7pm Wednesday at Divine Mercy Funeral Home, 3500 Lake Ave. with the Rosary at 3:30pm. Burial in Catholic Cemetery, where her husband was the Superintendent for many years. The family’s preferred memorials are Masses, or donations to the American Cancer Society, online at https://American Cancer Society or by mail to P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741. To share a remembrance of Maryanne or to offer condolences to her family, please visit DivineMercyFuneralHome.com. 

Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord,

and let perpetual light shine upon her.

.