McGrath

Rae M. McGrath, 82, of Butler died Tuesday evening at St. Barnabas Nursing Home, Gibsonia, after a long illness.

Born Verna Rae Marsteller in Denver, Feb. 25, 1926, she was a daughter of Cledith and Sarah Rees Marsteller.

An avid and versatile student, she earned a bachelor's degree in biology and chemistry from Allegheny College and a master's degree in English from the University of Iowa by age 23.

Following her undergraduate education, she taught high school math and science to polio patients at Warm Springs Foundation for Infantile Paralysis in Warm Springs, Ga. After receiving her graduate degree, she became an English instructor at Duquesne University, where she met and married another lecturer, Joseph E. McGrath, who was her husband until his death in 1990.

From 1951 to 1965, she was a full-time homemaker and mother to their three children.

In 1966, she became an original member of the faculty at the newly-founded Butler County Community College. She taught math, then English, was named chairwoman of humanities in 1971 and full professor in 1978. She was particularly well known for her expertise in the works of Shakespeare and other dramatic literature.

She also wrote the lyrics of the college's alma mater, "Hail to Thee, Oh Butler College." She was voted Outstanding Faculty Member in 1983. The next year, she turned her attention to education administration and became registrar for her final 11 years at the college, retiring in 1995 after 29 years.

Mrs. McGrath was a keen advocate of opportunities for women. She served on the college's first Affirmative Action Committee and created the Tuesday College, a program that enabled students to attend college once a week to earn an associate degree. The program was widely regarded as a boon for homemakers returning to the workforce.

She was also an active member of Soroptimist International, an organization known for its fundraising activities on behalf of education and career advancement for women.

She is survived by a sister, Sarah Gillette of Linesville; stepmother, Lillian Marsteller of Penney Farms, Fla.; a daughter and son-in-law, Kathleen McGrath and Jerry James of New York, N.Y.; a son and daughter-in-law, Matthew and Debra Covert McGrath of North Bethesda, Md.; a son and daughter-in-law, Joseph McGrath and Gina Gagliano of Tucson, Ariz.; and granddaughters Rachel James and Lauren McGrath.

<B>MCGRATH</B> — Friends of Rae M. McGrath, who died Tuesday, March 11, 2008, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at <B>Geibel Funeral Home</B>, 201 E. Cunningham St. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday at Holy Sepulcher Roman Catholic Church. The Rev. Daniel Maurer will officiate. Burial will follow at North Side Cemetery.In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Holy Sepulcher Church Building Fund, 1304 Cruikshank Road, Butler, PA 16002 or to Butler County Community College Education Foundation, P.O. Box 1203, Butler, PA 16003.Information also is available at www.geibelfuneralhome.com.