Mary Helen (Bayne) Sanderson, 95, of Butler, passed away peacefully Saturday, April 27, 2024, at
her home. Mary was born August 6, 1928, at the home of her grandparents, Martin and Elizabeth (Osche) Michel, in Herman, PA. She was the daughter of the late Kenneth and Philomena (Michel) Bayne, sister of the late Donald Bayne, and wife of Edward F. Sanderson who preceded her in death on May 11, 2020. Mary and Edward were joined in Holy Matrimony on July 3, 1948, at St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church in Butler, PA.
Mary worked for Butler Area School District Food Service for 21 ½ years and retired in 1989. She was a founding and lifelong member of St. Andrew’s Roman Catholic Church, Charter Member of St. Andrew’s Ladies Guild, lifetime member/former Financial Secretary of Catholic Daughters of America (Court 443), and promoter of Miraculous Medal. She was a charter member of the World War II Memorial Fund. Mary was a lifetime member of Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees, Pennsylvania State Education Association, Tanglewood Senior Center, and former Financial Secretary of Tanglewood Ladies Auxiliary. She was a former Minority Inspector for the Election Board in East Butler, and she voted in every election since 1961.
She enjoyed reading, music, genealogy, and playing Euchre. She took pride in her flowers and garden, and shared tomatoes with everyone. She was caring, giving, selfless, and would help anyone who needed it. Her greatest pleasure was time she spent with her two children, their spouses, her dear grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She especially enjoyed the yearly family garage sales and family reunions, where everyone wearing red was close to her heart.
Mary, known as “Grandma Mary, Mare Mare, GM, or General Manager” is survived by her daughter, Teresita (Gregory) Hartz of Youngstown, OH; her son, David (Cheryl) Sanderson of Meridian, PA; five grandchildren, Kristen Hartz-McCleery (Gary McCleery) of Youngstown, OH, Michael Hartz (David Leszcynski) of Indianapolis, IN, Lauren (Gerald) Hackett of Mechanicsville, VA, Rebecca Hartz (fiancé Christopher Hughes) of Youngstown, OH, and Joshua Sanderson (fiancé Tyler Schwartz) of Meridian, PA; three great-grandsons, Justus Hackett, Asher Hackett, and Milo Hackett of Mechanicsville, VA; and many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and great nephews.
Special thank you to neighbors Janet, Bob & Jean, and Mary in the back (and family) who were the eyes, ears, and chefs when the family could not be. Sincere thank you to Dr. Dhinesh Samuel and his staff for their kindness and support, as well as Toni Grupp and her “ladies” who provided the necessary support, comfort, and care to Mary and her family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made online at https://scsh.org/donate/ or checks can be mailed to: Sisters of Charity Seton Hill,129 DePaul Center Rd., Greensburg, PA 15601.
Friends will be received at the Geibel Funeral Home, 201 East Cuningham Street, Butler, from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Friday. A Mass of Christian will be celebrated on Saturday, at 11:00 am, at St. Andrew Roman Catholic Church, 1660 North Main Street Ext. in Butler. The Rev. Nick Argentieri, will officiate. She will be laid to rest in St. Mary’s Parish Cemetery, Herman, PA.