Mary A. Huegel, 72, of Butler passed away on Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at Butler Memorial
Hospital, in Butler. She was born on November 11, 1951 in, Butler, daughter of John
Marchuk and Mary Hallahan.
Mary was a member of St. Conrad’s Church in the All Saints Perish.
Mary married Donald Huegel on September 10, 1983. Her beloved husband of 41 years,
Don, passed away on October 7, 2024. Together they are survived by their two cherished
adult children, Chelsea Huegel, and Sean Huegel and his wife Kirsten, and one
granddaughter Alexis Frye, brother Nick J. Marchuk, two sisters Judith A. Vild and her
husband Emil and Annette Lecheler and her husband Greg, as well as nephews Nick R.
Marchuk, Mathew J. Marchuk, and Daniel Lecheler, and niece Ashley Lecheler Grzywna
and her husband Greg as well as many other nieces and nephews.
Mary attended Edinboro College, in Erie, PA, for two years where she studied art and
recognized her passion for instrumental music. Mary transferred from there to Duquesne,
where she earned a reputation as a highly talented violinist and was invited to play with
local and regional symphonies. She was a member of ZTA Sorority.
Mary was a retired music teacher who taught 38 years at the Butler Junior High School
and was the string orchestra director. She was adored by students and colleagues for her
energy, enthusiasm and creativity. She developed groups for students who shared an
interest in a particular instrument, such as the “Strolling Strings”; and the
“Symphonettes” She was the director of the Butler Strolling Strings and the Butler
County String Symphonette for 25 years.
Mary taught private violin lessons for many years. Mary was not only self-employed as
music teacher but also was highly skilled at repair and restoration of violins. Mary was a
gifted and patient teacher, working with individual students.
Mary was proud to play violin regularly with her church choir and would appear by
special request for the both the celebrations and solemn occasions of her students, friends
and family, including weddings, funerals and baptisms. Her strong faith gave her a deep
connection with God, and she now rests in His loving arms.
At home Mary’s passions included her family, plants, garden, two cats and two dogs.
Mary was known to particularly have a passion for frogs, and the color green. She would
often have a frog emblem on her key ring, shirt, desk, shelf, school papers and more. She
even selected her new car in a shiny green color reminiscent of a garden frog.
Their families held private funeral services for Mary and Don at SPENCER D. GEIBEL FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, 140 NEW CASTLE RD. BUTLER, PA 16001. WWW.SPENCERDGEIBEL.COM. Burial was held privately at Rose Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to LifeSteps of Butler County.