Mary Elizabeth

Buerge

Mary Elizabeth Buerge, 80, of Waynesville, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 9, 2026, at Bear Mountain Health and Rehabilitation in Asheville, North Carolina.

Mary was born on August 11, 1946, in Stamford, New York, to the late Robert and Marguerite (Van Hoesen) Tompkins. She spent her younger years in New York, where she developed a lifelong appreciation for learning, history, and the importance of family.

While living in Margaretville, New York, Mary met the love of her life, Eugene Robert Buerge, in a rather unforgettable way. Eugene had walked into the store where Mary was working and was immediately captivated by her. After managing to exchange only a few words, he turned to leave and walked straight into a doorframe. His endearing mishap caught Mary's attention, marking the beginning of a beautiful love story that would span decades. Eugene's military service temporarily took him away, but upon his return in 1968, he began officially courting Mary. The couple married in 1969, beginning a lifetime of love, companionship, and cherished memories. While residing in Catskill, New York, they welcomed their son, Jeremy, into the world.

Mary had a passion for education and a genuine love of learning. She attended college, where she majored in French and minored in Spanish, developing a remarkable appreciation for language. She went on to become a sixth-grade teacher, sharing her knowledge of Spanish and mathematics while helping shape the minds of countless young students. Her dedication to education extended beyond the classroom, as she also volunteered at nursery schools, where she delighted in reading to children and encouraging their curiosity.

An avid genealogist, Mary found great joy in tracing family histories and discovering the stories of generations past. Her appreciation for heritage and history was reflected in her membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), an organization through which she celebrated the importance of preserving the past.

In 2020, Mary and Eugene relocated to Waynesville, North Carolina, where she spent the remainder of her life. Throughout her years, Mary embraced the things that mattered most to her: family, education, and the preservation of cherished memories. Her life was one of devotion, curiosity, and quiet purpose, leaving behind a legacy of love and knowledge that will be remembered by those fortunate enough to have known her.

Left to mourn Mary’s passing is her spouse, Eugene Buerge; and a son, Jeremy Buerge; daughter-in-law, Helen Buerge. She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Marguerite Tompkins.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, November 19, 2026, at Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville. Visitation with the family will begin at 10:00 AM, the service will begin at 11:00 AM. Inurnment will follow at Western North Carolina Veterans Cemetery in Black Mountain, NC. Services will be livestreamed, the link to which can be found by visiting Mary’s obituary page at wellsfunealhome.com/obituaries.

The care of Mrs. Buerge has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville.