Mary Elizabeth Kughn, 76, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and sister, passed away on August 25th, 2025 surrounded by her loving family. She was born at Butler Hospital on April 25th, 1949, a daughter of the late Scott C. and Sarah Kane Davidson. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband of 50 years, Larry “Mr. Kughn”, and her beloved daughter, Melanie S. Kughn. Mary and her sister were raised lovingly by their grandmother, Mary Pearle (Dunlap) Kane and grandfather John Kane, both of Unionville, as well as her uncle, Sylvester “Uncie” Kane whom she was very fond of. She is survived by relatives including her sister, Sylvia L. and Ed Stedina of Conway, South Carolina, her loving daughters, Marcy R. Kughn and Evan “Coffin” Lavsa of New Sewickley Township, Missy E. and John R. Gardner III of New Sewickley Township, and her grandchildren, Caleb E. Celender and Tara E. and Cristofer Coats, also of New Sewickley and her nephew, David and her great-niece, Raegan Sayer, both of East Palestine, Ohio, two brother-in-laws, Charles “Lynn” Kughn, of Lafayette, Louisiana, and Lyle Kughn of New Sewickley.
Mary worked many years as a nurse for Dr. Nadler and associates of Beaver, and loved what she did and all of the patients she cared for. She also worked part time for Home Depot of Cranberry Township for many years. She helped coach for the New Sewickley girls’ softball teams, loved to attend ceramics classes with her friends, as well as camping, was a member of Wolf’s Den Camping Resort, an active member of Unionville United Methodist Church, of which she was in the Church Woman’s Club, and learned how to make every craft you can think of throughout the years.
Mary didn’t have a mean bone in her body, but if she wouldn’t tell you what to do and if you didn’t do it her way, you were in trouble. She had to be convinced to retire at the age of 71, but enjoyed every second of retirement when she did. She had more of a social life than anyone else in her family, and made sure you knew it. If she wasn’t at camp with her friends, she was out shopping, at the movies, or getting her nails done.
Mary liked to bake a next batch of cookies, dancing to oldies, “collecting”, planting flowers at the pearly gates, watching the Pirates game from the best seat in the house, and starting a list for everyone who needs their jeans patched.
If you can, play a round of cards for Mary this weekend, and the next.
Family and friends will received on Thursday, August 28th, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., at the William Murphy Funeral Home, 349 Adams Street, Rochester, who was in charge of his where a service will be held on Friday, August 27th at 11 a.m. Her pastor Reverend Barry Fowler will officiate. Interment will take place afterwards at Oak Grove Cemetery.