Mary Horzich Stiftinger

Mary Stiftinger (née Horzich), 93, of Hatboro passed away on May 14, 2019.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Anna Horzich, sisters Rose Butchko and Josephine Mentrek, her husband George A. Stiftinger, and great granddaughter Mallory Suprock.

Mary was born June 22, 1925 in Farrell, PA, graduated from Farrell High School as valedictorian.  She worked for various businesses as a bookkeeper and payroll manager.  After WWII she married her high school sweetheart, George Stiftinger, and they were together for 63 years.  George’s career took them to Pittsburgh, where Mary raised their daughters.  She was very active in St. Gabriel Catholic Church Guild Ladies and the Overlook Acres Woman’s Guild holding many positions, including President.  She was also a Girl Scout leader and volunteered with the Whitehall Library.

In 1966, George was transferred to the Philadelphia area, which brought them to Willow Grove.    Mary became active in her new community, involved at St. David’s Catholic Church, by establishing with George a St. Vincent De Paul chapter and a Christian Family Movement organization.  She organized group cook sessions for Aid for Friends, served on the Hatboro YMCA Women’s Auxiliary, and volunteered at the Upper Moreland Public Library.  Mary was involved with her daughters school activities and attended every band/orchestra concert for the girls throughout school, including college, and kept every concert program. 

Mary (aka Mom, Gramma, Oma, Gramma Mary, Gigi, Greatgram) valued family.  She loved having the family together at Ocean City, NJ and hosting Back To School Lunches in September to celebrate the beginning of every school year, even when the grandkids were in college.  Mary never missed sending a card to family and friends for their birthday, anniversary, or holiday.  She was never idle, always working on a sewing project, whether it was a wedding/new baby cross stitch sampler, Christmas gifts for the grandchildren, or Baptism bibs for the church.  We were told by Mary while growing up, that you should do something else than just sit and watch TV – in her words, “Don’t’ sit there like a man!”

When Mary and George became empty nesters, they traveled extensively across the country, enjoyed several cruises, and made many trips to Europe, reconnecting with extended family.

After George passed away, Mary downsized to an apartment at Gloria Dei Farms.  Once again she jumped into the activities at the Farms:  Pool volleyball, Canasta, Bingo, Friday Night Happy Hour, Line Dancing, Book Club, Sit and Fit Class, and she enjoyed movie nights and Wednesday night travel lectures.  Mary was also a reporter for the Gloria Bee Newsletter, and over the course of 6 years, she interviewed 90 new residents, welcoming them into the community.  In the short time she lived there, she made many dear friends.

The family would like to thank the caring aides from Visiting Angels, especially Jean, the Abington/Jefferson Hospice Team, and the staff at Gloria Dei Park.

Mary will be greatly missed by her children: Mary Ann Meinhart (Raymond), Susan Crook (Roger), and Claire Frank (Rodger), her 8 grandchildren: David Meinhart, Joanna Suprock (Christopher), Andrew Meinhart, Meredith Akers (Jeff), Christopher Crook, Matthew Frank (Sara), Jonathan Frank, Emily Frank, her 5 great grandsons:  Benjamin and Edgar Suprock, Theodore Frank, Oliver and George Akers, sisters Francis Sok (Thomas) and Elizabeth Lengyel (Robert), and many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to her visitation on Thursday, May 16, 2019 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM and Friday, May 17, 2019 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at the John J. Bryers Funeral Home, 406 Easton Road, Willow Grove, PA 19090.

Funeral Mass to follow at 10:30 AM at St. David RC Church, 316 Easton Road, Willow Grove, PA 19090.

Interment in St. John Neumann Cemetery.

Mary was instrumental in establishing the St. Vincent De Paul Society chapter at St. David’s Church and she was also an avid reader.  In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the St. Vincent DePaul Society, 316 N Easton Road, Willow Grove, PA 19090 or to the Upper Moreland Free Public Library, 109 Park Avenue, Willow Grove, PA 19090.

www.bryersfh.com

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