Mary P. McKay, 78, died Wednesday, July 24, 2013 at Bryn Mawr Hospital with family at her side. She was the wife of Raymond L. McKay with whom she shared 47 years of marriage.
Mary was born in West Chester, the first daughter of the late G. Merril Pratt and Esther C. Pratt. She was a graduate of Unionville High School, class of 1952. She earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education from West Chester State Teachers College in 1956 and soon earned a master's in instructional media from West Chester University.
Mary grew up on the family farm in Pocopson, learning the value of hard work while gaining an appreciation of the beauty of the Brandywine and Pocopson Valleys and their rich histories. During her life, she was a member of both Birmingham and London Grove Friends Meeting.
She worked at W.T. Grant Department store during college and began her teaching career at Caln Elementary. After one year, she entered the faculty at Unionville-Chadds Ford, retiring in 1997, having taught for 40 years. Mary was employed as the secretary for Pocopson Township in the 1970s, during a period of swift growth. She loved volunteer work and was a part of many service and social groups, often taking roles of responsibility. She volunteered for the Unionville Community Fair, East Marlborough Auxiliary for Chester County Hospital, Longwood Fire Company, and Kennett Square Lions Club.
She was a member of Retired Active People, Lesserton Garden Club, Mr. Patton's Bridge Club, and Young Adult Group. The latter is a group that meets once a month for a variety of social events. Founded in 1948, many members have been life-long friends.
Her hobbies were gardening, photography, and teaming up with her husband researching local history. She loved attending extended family activities and delighted in the activities of her granddaughters.
Mary is survived, in addition to her husband, by her son, Donald (wife Jennifer) of North East, Md., and her daughter, Carolee (husband Jeff Csubak) of Chadds Ford; and her granddaughters, Melanie, Heather, and Natalie McKay. She is also survived by two sisters, Ruth Anderson (husband Jack of Kennett Square, and Sarah Darlington (husband David) of Pocopson.
Relatives and friends are invited to her services at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 10, at the Charles F. Patton Middle School, 760 Unionville Road in Kennett Square. Visitation will be from 8:30 to 11 a.m. at the school prior to the service. Interment will be private at Birmingham Lafayette Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Kennett Square Lions Club, P.O. Box 413 Kennett Square, PA 19348 and/or Unionville Community Fair, P.O. Box 298, Unionville, PA 19375 and/or Longwood Fire Company, 1001 E. Baltimore Pike, Kennett Square, PA 19348.
Arrangements by DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home, Inc. 610-696-1181,www.DellaFH.com
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