Mary Sheedy Jackson

Mary Sheedy Jackson, beloved wife of late husband Kenneth “Keck” Jackson, proud mother of sons Kent and Grant Jackson, and doting grandmother of grandson Elliott Jackson, passed away peacefully in her home in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on Thursday September 5th, 2024. She was 77.

Mary was born in 1947 to parents Jean and Scott Sheedy and was one of seven children: Scott, Jeanne, Fran, Michael, Anne, and Lee. She married her husband Keck in 1977.

Mary graduated from Mercyhurst College in 1969 and went on to earn her master’s degree in education from Duquesne University in 1972. She began her career as a science teacher at Sunnyside Elementary in the Stanton Heights neighborhood of Pittsburgh. Mary took great pride in her role as a public school educator and was well loved by her students and colleagues. She retired in 2005 after over 30 years of public school service.

Mary was a devoted mother to her sons, Kent and Grant. She never missed an opportunity to regale others with endearing, sometimes embarrassing stories about their childhood or talk about how proud she was of their accomplishments in adulthood. She took special joy in being “Momo” to her grandson Elliott and would frequently marvel about him to friends and family.

Mary loved spending time in Chautauqua, New York, one of her favorite places in the world. She could, and often would, go on for hours about how much she cherished summers there with her husband, sons, mother, siblings, and friends.

Mary made the most of her retirement, taking annual beach trips to Punta Cana with friends for years. When she wasn’t traveling, she could be found reading or lying next to the pool at the Fox Chapel Yacht Club.

Mary will be remembered for being a loving mother, a dedicated teacher, and an engaging storyteller, tenacious and fiercely independent, just like her mother. She is survived by her two sons, Kent Jackson (Kristen MacKenzie) and Grant Jackson, grandson Elliott Jackson, siblings Scott Sheedy (Susan), Fran Sheedy, Lee Sheedy (Beth), and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by parents, Jean and Scott Sheedy, husband Keck Jackson, and siblings Jeanne Sheedy, Michael Sheedy, and Anne Sheedy.

Mary’s family will hold a private burial and celebration of life. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Chautauqua Lake Association: https://chautauqualakeassociation.org/ways-to-help/memberships

Arrangements by Weddell-Ajak Funeral Home, Aspinwall.

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