Pethel, Mary Gray

Mary Gray Pethtel, 93, a longtime resident of Lower Burrell, died Thursday, June 15, 2006, in Blacksburg, Va., following a long illness.
Mary was born in Holcomb Rock, Va., to the late Floyd and Carrie Snead, of Coraopolis, and also was predeceased by her husband, Ray D. Pethtel Sr.

In 1932, Mary graduated from Coraopolis High School, where she played girls’ basketball. Following the death of her husband, she managed the family business, the New Kensington Roofing and Heating Co. She was active in the drama department of the New Kensington Women’s Club and acted in several stage plays. Mary was a founding member of Grace Community United Presbyterian Church and served many years as the choir director, Sunday school teacher and leader of youth fellowship. In later years, she was secretary of the Lower Burrell AARP.

She is survived by daughter Mary Ray Brumbaugh, of Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.; son Ray D. Pethtel Jr. and daughter-in-law Mary Jane Eckenrod Pethtel, of Blacksburg; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. A graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Monday in Greenwood Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to the Alzheimer’s Foundation online at www.alz.org or to Grace Community United Presbyterian Church, 2751 Grant St., Lower Burrell, PA, 15608. Arrangements by MCCOY FUNERAL HOME, Blacksburg.