Mary Catherine (Healy) Henry

Mary Catherine (Healy) Henry

Age 93, of Fox Chapel, passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, July 25, 2026.  She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 62 years, John J. Henry, and her eldest daughter, Patricia A. Henry. Loving mother of seven children who survive her, Christopher J. (Lynda) Henry, Brian J. (Deborah) Henry, Clare Henry Dougherty, Austin P. (Betsy) Henry, Mark A. Henry, John Douglas (Claudia) Henry and Thomas O. Henry; cherished grandmother of Catherine (Sean), John, Sara (Kevin), Caroline (Cameron), Austin, Michael, Audrey, John Paul,  Owen, Hugh, Grace, Sophia, Samuel and Jack; adored great grandmother of Mickey; sister of Anne D. Landell and the late James and Thomas Healy.

Born in 1932 in Buffalo, NY to Irish immigrants, Mary grew up during the Great Depression as a vivacious young woman noted for her performances in classical plays at her schools and in local theaters. She graduated with honors and a master’s degree in education from D’Youville College in 1953 and in that same year began teaching Latin, English and Drama at Cleveland Hill High School in Cheektowaga NY.  The following year she led her students to safety during a horrific fire that took several lives at that school. Education remained her lifelong passion.  She met the love of her life, John Henry, in 1956 and they were soon married, launching what would become a family of eight children. They moved to Pittsburgh in 1967 when John accepted a position with North American Rockwell.  She continued to work in education, teaching Latin and English to middle and high school students at various schools in the Pittsburgh area. Her energy was unbounded and she was always on a mission. She centered her life on her faith and devoted much of that energy to her faith community, St. Scholastica Parish, where she enthusiastically participated in every activity imaginable, from spaghetti dinners to Parish Council.

She was involved (and readily volunteered her army of children to be involved) in numerous charitable endeavors and organizations. She was a founder of the Commonwealth Education Organization, a founding member of Epiphany Association, a founder of the Moms Uplifting Moms (“MUMS”) chapter at St. Scholastica and she started and ran a successful community food co-op. She was an avid gardener and a longstanding member and active participant in both the Pittsburgh Garden Club and the Fox Chapel Garden Club.  She was also a  long-time member of the Board of Directors of the Civic Light Opera and the Duquesne University Women’s Board. She was a fun tennis and paddle tennis player, a voracious reader and a very fast driver… yet she was perpetually late. Eight children gave her license to be late. Those children will greatly miss her unrelenting positive attitude, energy and readiness for adventure.   

Friends will be received on Friday, July 31 from 5:00 p.m.– 8:00 p.m. at the WEDDELL-AJAK FUNERAL HOME, 100 Center Ave., Aspinwall.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, August 1, at 10:00 a.m. at Christ the King Parish, St. Scholastica Church, 309 Brilliant Ave., Aspinwall. Interment will follow in Assumption Cemetery, Glenshaw.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Epiphany Association, 900 Parish Street, Suite 316, Pittsburgh, PA 15220.

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