McGary

Allison "Allie" S. McGary, 34, was welcomed Monday into a pain free, mobility free, greater place with her grandparents' and friends' arms extended after an 18-month courageous, hard-fought battle with scleroderma.

Allison was born on June 28, 1976, with spina bifida that destined her to a life of many obstacles in an electric wheelchair, very independently until February 2009, when she became bed bound.

Allison loved people and people instantly connected with "Allie." Her smile was highly contagious and her laugh undeniable. Through her numerous surgeries and painful procedures, setback after setback, she always told us "I'm not giving up!"

Allie accomplished so much in her short 34 years of life. She graduated from Slippery Rock High School and Butler Vo-Tech in 1996. She lettered in chorus and loved being her brothers' sideline cheerleader. Her older brother, "BJ" played in SRHS Band and her younger brother, Chris, played SRHS football. She loved them both so much and was honored to be in both of their weddings.

Her brothers and their friends always made sure "Allie" got to do "normal" things in life. She, with their help, experienced repelling, 4-wheeling, water tubing, flying to Disney World in Florida and riding everything at least twice! She loved the outdoors and this past February, wrapped in pink bubble wrap, went sled riding again and laughed continuously! She loved to dance in her wheelchair. She participated in weekend campouts at spina bifida camps for many years. She also loved riding motorcycles with her friends with the American Legion Riders Post 820, Monroeville.

Her greatest life accomplishment was obtaining life skills and living on her own for 14 years. During that time, she volunteered her time many places, but her greatest fulfillment came at Allegheny General Hospital, where she ultimately passed away in the MICU.

Allison was a devoted, avid Pittsburgh Steeler fan, a WWE wrestling fanatic.

She loved to use her "purple computer" in her many hours of healing. She touched the hearts of many, but none more than her six nieces, Morgan, Madison, Makenna, Mackenzie McGary of Prospect and Laney and Emma McGary of Maine, all who adored her. Her best "buddies" of the last 18 months of her life were her nieces, Morgan and Madison. They spent countless hours and special sleepovers, playing card games, Nintendo DS, "girl talk," cuddle time and loads of giggling. She loved going shopping and to the movies with them when her health allowed. She will be deeply missed in the lives of these six precious girls.

Aunt "Allie" joyously was awaiting her first nephew, "Baby Ryan," who is due in September; and she loved showing his ultrasound to all.

Allison had a special bond with her cousins, Tim, Jon and Marki Raabe and Dustin and Kayla Greenawalt, who always included her in their lives.

Allison is survived by her parents, with whom she resided, George E. "Butch" and Susan J. McGary III of Butler; two brothers and their spouses, BJ and Melanie McGary IV of Prospect and Christopher and Jodi McGary of Pittsfield, Maine; her grandmother, Mary Raabe of Butler; two aunts, Kathy and her husband, Mark Palfreeman of Hunstville, Ala., and Mary Kay and her husband Tim Greenawalt of Butler; and one uncle, Jim and his wife, Terri Raabe of Boyers.

<B>MCGARY </B>— Friends of Allison "Allie" S. McGary, who died Monday, Aug. 23, 2010, will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at <B>Thompson-Miller Funeral Home Inc.</B>, 124 E. North St., Butler. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Mount Chestnut Presbyterian Church the Rev. Jeffrey A. Curtis, of Mount Chestnut Presbyterian Church, officiating.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Spina Bifida Association, 1158 Dutilh Road, Mars, PA 16046; or to the Prospect Community Library, 357 Main St., Prospect, PA 16052.Information and a private guest book are available at www.thompson-miller.com.