Mary Patricia Harmon

Mary Patricia Harmon, 96, of Bradys Bend died Wednesday at the Chicora Medical Center, where she had been assisted living for seven years.

Born June 20, 1920, in Kaylor, she was the daughter of Ambrose “Dave” C. and Bertha E. Blatt Madden.

On June 10, 1946, she married James L. Harmon, and together they raised 10 children. Throughout the years of raising her children, she was very active at St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church in Bradys Bend, where she was a lifetime member. She began typing and mimeographing the church bulletin before becoming a parish secretary, a position she held for nearly 20 years. She also served for 30 years as a CCD teacher and eventual director of religious education at St. Patrick's.

A 1938 graduate of East Brady High School, Mary was trained as an executive secretary. She worked during the years of World War II for Bantam Industries in Butler, helping produce the first Jeeps. In later years, she became the Bradys Bend Township auditor.

A crossword puzzle enthusiast, she was a charter member of the extended family Scrabble tournament. She was an expert of game rules and two letter words rarely encountered elsewhere.

Mary was an avid reader and especially enjoyed murder mysteries and biographies.

Matriarch of a very large clan, Mary is survived by four daughters, Eileen Hout and her husband, Michael, of Brooklyn, N.Y., Virginia Pfahler and her husband, Robert, of Fenelton, Sarah Grove and her husband, John, of Tucson, Ariz., and Bert Skye of Tucson, Ariz.; four sons, Laurence Domike and his wife, Steffi, of Pittsburgh, Christopher and his wife, Peg, of Tucson, Ariz., Mark and his wife, Becky, of Lancaster, N.C., and Matthew and his wife, Pamela Selby, of Tucson, Ariz.; her son-in-law, Jody Schnur, of Herman; 25 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and countless nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, James Harmon, on May 29, 2006; her daughter, Joan Harmon Schnur; her son, David; her twin brother, Laurence, who was shot down over Italy during World War II; her brothers, David “Jiggs” Madden, Raymond “Ping” Madden and John “Popeye” Madden; and two sisters, Helen Collins and Jane Hinterlang.

HARMON — Friends of Mary Patricia Harmon, who died Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017, will be received from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday at the Buechele Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 707 Kellys Way, East Brady.Mary always found comfort in the rosary. It will be recited along with a parish prayer service at 4 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Saturday at St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, Bradys Bend, with the Rev. John Butler officiating. Everyone please meet at the church. Burial at St. Mary's Cemetery will be private.The Harmon family suggests memorial contributions be made in Mary's name to St. Patrick Church, 915 State Route 68, East Brady, PA 16028.To view or express condolences, please visit www.BuecheleFuneralHome.com