Mary Mooney, 99, passed away on October 17th, 2026. She died peacefully in her home of more than 70 years. She was born in a farmhouse in Aliquippa to immigrant parents on March 22nd, 1927, she was raised on New England Hill and spent the remainder of her life on Marion Hill in New Brighton. With her husband, Clay Leroy “Bus”, who preceded her in death, she ran the family store and pool hall, supplying generations of neighborhood kids with penny candy and a place to play. She raised six children and had loving life-long relationships with her step children. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, Michael and Catherine Durish, her 10 siblings, her sons, Byron and Donald “George” Mooney, her daughters: Bertha Bable, Rita Camp, Shirley Campbell, Nancy Schettig, and Patty Rae; as well as her grandchildren: Jimmy Camp, Jeremy Custer, David Mooney, and Judy Albanese; along with son-in-law, Robert Schettig and her daughter-in-law’s, Judy Mooney and Christine Mooney. She was also preceded in death by her special friend, John Mason, with whom she shared many fond memories.
She is survived by her daughters, Mary Ann O’Shea (Timothy) and Donna Custer (Brad), her son, Leroy (“Fats”) Mooney, her son-in-law’s, Edgar Rae, Randy Bable and James Camp, her daughter-in-law, Sherry Boyde, as well as many nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great grandchildren – so many that she once won a prize on a cruise for having more grandchildren than anyone else on the ship. Over the years, she faithfully gave them all Christmas and birthday cards inscribed with, “Hope you win on the ticket.” Her loving hands diapered children and grandchildren, rolled nut horns (her signature cookie), built puzzles, scratched lottery tickets, and held those of all who loved her. She lived and loved for nearly a century and was a survivor who modeled both strength and tenderness.
Friends and family will be received on Monday, October 19th from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. in the J&J Spratt Funeral Home, Inc., 1612 Third Avenue, New Brighton, who was in charge of her arrangements, and where prayers will be held in the funeral home on Tuesday, October 20th at 9:30 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. at Holy Family Church, 521 7th Avenue, New Brighton.
Interment will follow in Sylvania Hills Memorial Park, 273 PA-68, Rochester.
The family of Mary would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the caregivers from Anointed Wings and Tucked With Care for their unwavering love, care, and companionship. She loved each of you, and we are so grateful that you helped her remain in her home in her final years.
To send flowers with our preferred florist or plant a memorial tree, please visit the flower store of the J&J Spratt Funeral Home, Inc. by clicking here.
