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Mary Jane Henry
Obituaries | The Tube City Almanac | June 19, 2023
Working at Bell Telephone Company, she met the love of her life, Herbert Henry. They married in 1955 and together they lovingly raised six children. She later returned to work for PNC Bank where she retired in 1997.
She suffered great loss in her life with the death of her two daughters, Susan and Barbara, but she used that loss to teach her children and grandchildren that there was nothing more important in life than family. She was generous with her hugs and taught us that any conversation with family ended with saying “I love you”. Mary Jane was happiest when her family was gathered around her table, where no meal ended without one of her desserts. Her love language was feeding and taking care of people who meant the most, a passion carried on by many of her children and grandchildren.
Her faith was an integral part of her life, from childhood until her passing. She was a founding member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, North Huntingdon, where she was active in parish council, Christian Mothers, and was a religious education teacher. Many will remember the church bus tours she organized, the fish fries she helped orchestrate, and the Mary’s Garden she planned. Tending the Mary’s Garden was a labor of love for her and her late husband, Herb, for many years.
Another love of her life was her Norwin community. As a resident of Penns Woods, Mary Jane was a founding member and officer of the Penns Woods Civic Association and its Ladies’ Auxiliary. When her children were young, she was PTA President at Stewartsville Elementary School, and was a Cub Scout den mother and Girl Scout leader. She served as a Westmoreland County election official for more than 50 years. She was a former board member of the Norwin Area Meals on Wheels, and a kitchen volunteer where the Tuesday Crew knew her as “MJ”. Mary Jane was also active in AARP Chapter 3321 where she held various leadership positions and planned many cruises and bus tours. She was known for her fund-raising abilities for the organizations she led, planning many a card party, luncheon, and auction. Beginning in 2014, Mary Jane proudly walked with family and friends as “Herb’s Gang” in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, in memory of her late husband, raising nearly $50,000 for the Alzheimer’s Association.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Herb, her daughters Susan and Barbara, her sister Roberta Linton, her brother Robert P. Salamon, Jr. and many beloved family members and friends.
She is survived by her children Cynthia Beck (Jay), Robert Henry (Julie), David Henry (Beth), and Sandra Socrates (Tony). She is also survived by grandchildren who she dearly loved, Brad Rohlf (Caitlyn), Jeffrey Beck (Megan), Jessica Henry (Joshua Rihs), Megan Beck, Christopher Henry (Erin), Jessica McGaffic (Alec), Anthony Socrates, Nicholas Socrates (fiancée Caitlyn Hunter), and Jennifer Wilson (Matthew), and by great grandchildren Connor, Blair, Landon, Hudson, Nathan, Ellie, and two due to arrive this year. She is additionally survived by a sister, Dorothy Sullivan, and numerous beloved nieces and nephews. Friends will be received from 2-8 p.m. on Sunday, June 25, 2023 at the James W. Shirley Funeral Home, 176 Clay Pike, North Huntingdon, PA 15642. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Monday at 9:30 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church. Interment to follow in Brush Creek Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to two causes close to Mary Jane’s heart, The Norwin Area Meals on Wheels, 12735 Lincoln Way, North Huntingdon, PA 15642 and the Norwin Public Library, 100 Caruthers Lane, Irwin PA 15642. www.shirleyfuneralhome.com
Originally published June 19, 2023.
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