Mary C. (Cechvala) Kepics

Mary C. (Cechvala) Kepics, 86, of Leechburg, PA, passed away on Saturday, September 18, 2021 at UPMC St. Margaret Hospital in Pittsburgh.

A daughter of the late Leo Cechvala and Olga (Beck) Cechvala, she was born July 19, 1935, in Kittanning.

Mary had been employed as the head cook for the Leechburg Area School District for 35 years before retiring from there in 1986.  A charter member of the Lower Kiski Ambulance Service, she served on the Board of Directors and held the office of Treasurer.  As an instructor, she taught at the Westmoreland County Community College (WCCC) and Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) as well as teaching EMT classes.  Mary also served as a property assessor and poll worker for Armstrong County.  She formerly assisted with the Mother’s Club of Leechburg and the Gilpin Township Fire Dept. Ladies’ Auxiliary.  Mary was a member of Christ the King Parish in Gilpin Township and former member of the Ladies’ Auxiliary of the former Assumption Church.

In addition to all of Mary’s community work and volunteerism, she co-owned and operated the Kepics Tours business with her husband.  They coordinated many tours for their clients over the years, as well as traveling to various destinations together as a couple.  She very much enjoyed singing and dancing and listening to music.  Cooking meals for her family and attending the annual family vacation to Dewey Beach were highlights in her life.  Above all else, she loved her family dearly.

Survivors include her husband of 67 years, Robert John Kepics of Leechburg; two sons, Michael Kepics (Lori) of Tarentum, Jan Kepics (Marlene Stovall) of Tarpon Springs, FL; three daughters, Tammie Kepics (Joyce) of Leechburg, Sherry Morrow (Scott) of Leechburg, Lori Knauff (Kyle) of Hopewell; nine grandchildren, Brandon Kepics (Lauren), Dena Kepics (Carly Johnson), Nick Hadley (Marlee Scott), Kyle Kepics, Kaitlyn Santil (Eloy), Kimberly Kepics, Kendall Kepics, Hannah Knauff, Leah Knauff; five great-grandchildren, Jameson Kepics, Elaina Kepics, Sasha Kepics, Ava Louise Santil, and a great-grandchild on-the-way; two sisters, Leona Boario (Joseph) of West Leechburg, Denise Cechvala of Ford City; and a special friend, Kathy Ruman, (who was like a daughter to Mary).

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Shirley Donati.

Friends will be welcomed by her family on Monday, Sept. 20, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at Clawson Funeral & Cremation Center, 170 Main Street, Leechburg (724-842-1051).  Parting Prayers of Transfer will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 21, at the funeral home, followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at Christ the King Parish, 125 Park Road, Gilpin Township, with Rev. James H. Loew, O.S.B. as celebrant.  At the family’s request, visitors attending the visitation and Mass will be required to wear masks. Interment following at St. Catherine Cemetery, 614 Evergreen Road, Gilpin Township. 

Her family wishes to extend special thanks to the nurses at the Elms At Amberwoods.  In memory of Mary, her family suggests donations may be made to the Lower Kiski Ambulance Service, 80 Kiski Ave., Leechburg, PA 15656. 

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