Mary Patricia Harmon, 96, of Bradys Bend, died Wednesday February 15, 2017 at the Chicora Medical Center where she had been assisted living for 7 years. 

Born June 12, 1920 in Kaylor, she was the daughter of Ambrose C. “Dave” and Bertha E. (Blatt) Madden. 

On June 10, 1946, she married James L. Harmon and together they raised 10 children.  Throughout the years of raising her children, she was very active at St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church in Bradys Bend, where she was a lifetime member.  She began typing and mimeographing the church bulletin before becoming a parish secretary, a position she held for nearly 20 years.  She also served for 30 years as a CCD teacher and eventual director of religious education at St. Patrick’s. 

A 1938 graduate of East Brady High School, Mary was trained as an executive secretary.  She worked during the years of World War II for Bantam Industries in Butler, helping produce the first Jeeps.  In later years, she became the Bradys Bend Township Auditor. 

A crossword puzzle enthusiast, she was a charter member of the extended family Scrabble Tournament.   She was an expert of game rules and two letter words rarely encountered elsewhere.  Mary was an avid reader and especially enjoyed murder mysteries and biographies. 

Matriarch of a very large clan, Mary is survived by 4 daughters: Eileen and her husband Michael Hout of Brooklyn, NY, Virginia and her husband Robert Pfahler of Fenelton, PA, Sarah and her husband John Grove of Tucson, AZ and Bert Skye of Tucson, AZ.  4 sons: Laurence and his wife Steffi Domike of Pittsburgh, Christopher and his wife Peg of Tucson, AZ, Mark and his wife Becky of Lancaster, NC, Matthew and his wife Pamela Selby of Tucson, AZ, and son-in-law Jody Schnur of Herman, PA.  25 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and countless nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, James Harmon on May 29, 2006, her daughter Joan Harmon Schnur, her son David, her twin brother, Laurence, who was shot down over Italy during World War II, her brothers David “Jiggs” Madden, Raymond “Ping” Madden, John “Popeye” Madden, and 2 sisters, Helen Collins and Jane Hinterlang.

Friends of Mary Patricia Harmon will be received from 3:00-7:00 PM Friday, February 17, 2017 at Buechele Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc. 707 Kellys Way, East Brady, PA 16028.

Mary always found comfort in the rosary, it will be recited along with a parish prayer service at 4PM Friday in the Funeral Home.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2:00 PM Saturday, February 18, 2017 at St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, Bradys Bend with the Rev. John Butler officiating. (Everyone please meet at the church.)

Burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery will be private. 

The Harmon family suggests memorial contributions be made in Mary’s name to St. Patrick Church, 950 State Route 68, East Brady, PA 16028

To view or express condolences, please visit www.BuecheleFuneralHome.com

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