Mrs. Mary S. Arthur, 97, formerly of Skaneateles, passed away Thursday, Sept. 15, 2005, at Van Duyn Home and Hospital, Syracuse.

She was married for 58 years to Cecil H. Arthur, who predeceased her in 1995. She was born on May 30, 1908, in Auburn. She attended Auburn Business School. Mrs. Arthur worked at the Nye and Wait Company in Auburn as an accomplished rug designer. She also waited table at The Kreb's in Skaneateles and worked at Hahn's Pharmacy in Skaneateles. She was an avid bridge player for several years and taught bridge to many friends in her home on State Street Road. She was a wonderful piano player and despite not reading sheet music, she could play any song she heard by heart beautifully. She was a member of St. Mary's of the Lake Catholic Church in Skaneateles and a member of St. Mary's Mothers' Club. She loved her church and her family and her many close friends. She was the last of nine children of the Frank H. Steigerwald family of Auburn.

She is survived by her two daughters, Virginia A. Herrmann and Mary Frances Laskie, both of Skaneateles; two sisters-in-law, Elizabeth Steigerwald and Marie Steigerwald, both of Auburn; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, Mrs. Arthur was predeceased by her fraternal twin, Josephine Dermody in 1986 and her twin sons, Michael and James in 1943.

A funeral Mass will be held at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27 in St. Mary's of the Lake Church. Burial will be in Lake View Cemetery, Skaneateles.

There will be no calling hours. Contributions may be made to St. Jude Shrine of Chicago, 205 W. Monroe St., Chicago, IL 60606 or Van Duyn Home and Hospital Nurses Fund, 5025 W. Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse, NY 13215-2292.

Funeral arrangements are by the Robert D. Gray Funeral Home, Skaneateles.