Mary Catherine Mahaffey Hancox, died peacefully Friday, August 1, 2014 at UPMC-Northwest in Seneca.
She was one of ten children born to Charley and Catherine Mammaux Mahaffey. Her birthday was September 22, 1923.
Mary was married January 27, 1945 in San Antonio, TX to Richard Smith Hancox who preceded her in death in 2002. Upon her husband’s death, she lived with her daughter: Cathy and son-in-law: Jerry in Erie for nine years; before moving back to Franklin to The Caring Place.
Mary was a sports enthusiast. She enjoyed intramural track as a young woman along with bowling, tennis and golf. She was especially proud to have caught a Ralph Kiner home run baseball at Forbes Field.
She was also a well-known area artist. Many of her oil paintings can be seen hanging in local homes.
She was a lab technician for three years at Valvoline Oil Company. She also taught swimming and bridge at the Franklin YMCA. She worked on the election board for twenty-five years and chaired the Community Chest for the City of Franklin. She was a former treasurer of the CD of A and had worked thirty-one years with Meals-on-Wheels; where she was appointed to the Board of Directors in 1988.
Mary’s family moved to the farm on Buttermilk Hill near Utica when she was nine years old. She attended the one room Lupher schoolhouse in Canal Township. Next, she attended the Utica school before graduating from Franklin High School in 1941. She was proud to have participated in the senior play and the Broadcast. She was also a devoted catholic attending St. Patrick Church in Franklin.
Mrs. Hancox is survived by her daughters: Cathy Stachera and her husband Jerry of Erie, Lisa Hancox-Cerro and significant other Robert Cerro of Franklin and her son: Richard A. Hancox and his wife Barbara of Kennerdell. Her sister: Therese Moran and her husband Jack of Lakeland, FL and two sisters-in-law: Joan Hancox Barron of Ashland, OH and Sallie Hancox Law and her husband John of McKean.
Mary also leaves behind nine grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren. The grandchildren are: Richy Cerro of Erie, Casey Hancox of Zelienople, Keeley Hancox of Pittsburgh, Steve Huefner of Erie, Katie Huefner Cope of Aurora, IL, Patrick Huefner of Decatur, GA, Kristian Stachera and Reagan Stachera of Erie and Aaron Stachera of Portland, ME.
She was preceded in death by two sons-in-law: Steve Huefner and Douglas Cerro; seven brothers: Ike, Charles, William, Albert, Robert, John and George;and by her sister: Anne (Logue) Gill.
Mary will be forever remembered for her attitudes: “Keep your sense of humor.”, “Enjoy life with an open mind.”, “Give all you have.” and “Live it with gusto”.
In accordance of her wishes, there will be no public visitation.
Family and friends are invited to attend her Mass of Christian Burial, Wednesday at 12 NOON in St. Patrick Church, 949 Liberty Street, Franklin with Monsignor John J. Herbein, pastor officiating.
Interment will follow in Franklin Cemetery.
Memorial contributions, if desired, may be directed in her name to either: St. Patrick Church or to The Christian Loving Fund of The Caring Place, 103 N. 13th Street, Franklin, PA 16323.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Timothy E. Hartle Funeral Home, 1328 Elk Street, Franklin.
Please visit: www.hartlefuneralhome.com for further information and to leave a note of condolence.
