PLEASE LEAVE THE SPELLING OF “SHERBERT” AS THE FAMILY WROTE IT!

Mary Margaret (Rodgers) Payung, 86, of Butler, was welcomed in glory by the angels and our Lord on Nov. 29, 2022.

Mary was born in Butler on Aug. 1, 1936, and was the daughter of her parents, the late Kenneth and Theresa Rodgers. She was the first of their 10 children, and spent most of her childhood keeping them all in line.

Mary was a devout Catholic and thought of joining the convent before she met the love of her life, Gordon.

A lifelong member of All Saints Parish, St. Conrad Roman Catholic Church, Mary was devoted to the Catholic faith. She passed this belief on to her children and grandchildren, not through lessons or preachings, but through the way she approached and carried out her daily tasks. She was a promoter of peace and believed that goodness could be found in every soul.

Mary wrote poetry, saved every card you sent her, and loved family traditions, including Christmas tea, fireworks in the backyard on the Fourth of July, and the annual cookie jar exchange. She was employed by Diana Paradise and Butler Family Drug for 19 years, before retiring in 1996, but invested her life in her family, who she infused with tenderness and love.

In her free time, when she wasn’t praying, ironing, or serving sherbert to her grandchildren, Mary would spend countless hours making rosaries on her back porch, making up her own rules to board games, and getting involved in church activities. She served on the St. Fidelis Funeral Luncheon Committee, Marian Movements for Priests, Alter Society, CCD teacher, Our Lady Rosary Makers, Mater Dolorosa, and Legion of Mary Auxiliary. She was recognized for her service in the Girl Scouts of America when she received the St. Ann Award.

Mary graduated from Fairview Township-Karns City High School in 1955.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters, Joann and Virginia; her brother, John; and her precious grandson, Mitchell.

She will be missed by her surviving husband of 63 years, Gordon; her children, Barry (Dianne), Christina (Chuck), Anita, Gina (Brian), and Paula (Donny); 15 grandchildren, Eric, Bryan and Brandon, Luke, Aimee, Christina, Dominic, Monica, Joey and David, Brianna, Makenna and Chandler, Erika and Kierra; six great-grandchildren, Ana, Novela, Hugh, Dilek, Opal and Noelle; five sisters, Theresa, Judy, Patricia, Geraldine and Michaele; one brother Richard; two brothers-in-law; and three sisters-in-law, to whom she was devoted.

PAYUNG — Friends of Mary Margaret (Rodgers) Payung, who died Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022, will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at GEIBEL FUNERAL HOME, 201 E. Cunningham St., Butler.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Conrad Roman Catholic Church, 125 Buttercup Road, Butler. The rosary will be recited at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the church.

Entombment will follow at Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Lifeline of Butler, 422 North Main Street A, Butler, PA 16001, and sing a “Hail Mary” for our sweet Mama’s soul.

For more information or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.geibelfuneralhome.com.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.