Mary Dahl

Mary Claire Dahl (nee Seidenstricker)

On February 12, 2016 the world lost a most amazing and inspiring woman to a long, courageous and challenging journey through cancer. Her niece summarized what so many have said about Mary, "you taught me how to love life, work hard, laugh often and enjoy a good bottle of wine."

Born Mary Claire Seidenstricker on June 8, 1959, she was the fifth of seven children born to Alice and George Seidenstricker in Wisconsin Rapids, and spent her growing years in Port Washington WI. Mary earned her degree in business at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee where she met the love of her life, Dan Dahl, while singing in the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Chorus. They married in May 1987 and remained best friends and loving partners throughout their life together, sharing a love of family, music, theater, entertaining, Bichons and Schnauzers.

The Dahls moved to Akron when Dan was hired as Executive Director at E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall in 1991. After working briefly at Sterling Jewelers, Mary joined Cleveland Steel Container in 1992, beginning a stellar career, which included building the company now known as Pipeline Packaging from a small local distributor to a nationally recognized distribution leader with 13 locations nationwide. A woman in a man's world, she had never been in a warehouse, on a fork lift, or in charge of a staff larger than 10 people. She accepted and thrived with the challenge and was named President in 2005. Earning recognition for her business acumen, she served for 12 years on the board of the National Association of Container Distributors and was the third elected female president. At the pinnacle of her career in April 2015 Mary retired from Pipeline Packaging in order to spend full time fighting the cancer that had affected her life for six years.

Mary was a charismatic, fiery, effervescent and caring person whose ever-present smile and distinctive laugh drew people to her. She and Dan spent as much time as possible with their large and extended family and friends, traveling around the country and often to Wisconsin for family gatherings.

Mary is survived by her beloved husband, Dan; her mother, Alice; and her siblings, Anne (Jim Slocum) Tremel; Susan (Steve) Dow; Peter (Ann); Paul (Geri); Marty (Kevin) Reince; and Sarah (Rick) Heins; mothera��ina��law, Gloria Dahl; sistersa��ina��law Kathy (Al) Strayer and Linda (Larry) Phillips; and 18 loving nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, George Seidenstricker; fathera��ina��law, Lester Dahl; and brothera��ina��law, Tim Tremel. She also leaves the Cleveland Steel Container/Pipeline Packaging family, her Pipeline Team, whom she credited with the company's success saying "If they succeed, we also succeed!"

During Mary's treatment, the Summa Cooper Cancer Center became the Dahls' second home. In lieu of flowers and in recognition of Dr. Joseph Koenig and the caring staff, please consider a contribution to the Summa Cooper Cancer Center, 525 East Market St., Akron OH 44304.

You are invited to join family and friends for a celebration of Mary's life, and Mary and Dan's last party, on Saturday, March 5, from 3 to 7 PM, at Firestone Country Club, 452 Warner Rd, Akron. There will be a brief celebration program at 4:00. (Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel)