Mary Jo McGrath, 88, of Butler passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.
She was born on April 8, 1937, in Marwood to the late Kenneth William Hesselgesser and Ruth Evelyn Freehling Hesselgesser.
Mary Jo was a graduate of Winfield-Clinton High School and Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where she received a BS degree in education. She had a career as an elementary school teacher, having taught in both the Butler and South Butler Area School Districts. Mary Jo married her best friend and love of her life, Albert Campbell McGrath, on August 6, 1966. They celebrated 54 years of marriage in 2020 before Al’s passing on March 1, 2021. Al and Mary Jo were members of First United Methodist Church of Butler, where she was a greeter, helped with various children’s group activities, and participated in Bible studies. She was a former member of the DAR, AAUW, and Reading Club of Butler. Mary Jo loved flowers, giraffes, cardinals, Christmas, reading, puzzles, scrapbooking, traveling, music, and above all else, her family. She will be remembered for her kindness, sense of humor, and as a devoted wife, mother, homemaker, teacher, and friend.
She is survived by her cherished son, Jeffrey Albert McGrath, of Feeding Hills, MA, her brother-in-law, Dan (Diane) McGrath, of TX, her niece, April McClaine, her nephews, Nick (Wendy) McClaine, Doug (Carolyn) McClaine, Jim (Rachel) Sutton, Lorin (Regina) Sutton, David Sutton, and many other treasured relatives, neighbors, and friends.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her beloved sisters, Beverly A. McClaine and Nancy Lee Sutton.
The family would like to thank the nurses, aides, and staff of 365 Hospice, whose understanding, compassion, guidance, and attentive care made it possible for Mary Jo to spend her final days in the comfort of her family home.
Friends and family of Mary Jo McGrath, who died Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025, will be received from 11 am to 1 pm on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, at THOMPSON-MILLER FUNERAL HOME, 124 E. North St., Butler, followed by a funeral service and entombment at Butler County Memorial Park & Mausoleum.
All who knew Mary Jo are encouraged to share memories and upload photos to her remembrance page at www.thompson-miller.com.