Mary Alice White was born on December 16, 1932. She married Thomas Joseph Pillion. They were the parents of five children.

Mary was a sincere and dedicated daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. She was an active, independent woman for whom family and education were always the highest priorities. While raising five children, Mary continued to prioritize her education by attending night classes at the University of Pittsburgh. She enjoyed a 25-year career as a bank teller at PNC Bank. Financial responsibility was important to her and a lesson she passed on to her children and grandchildren. Mary set a wonderful example for her family that hard work can lead to self-fulfillment, independence, and success. She faced life's challenges as a 49-year survivor of breast cancer. Mary taught her family that one shows up for what matters. She made everything look easy and natural and led with love and by example - always.

Her grandchildren loved spending time with her. A visit to Gram's meant a coveted "Grammie sandwich." She was a regular at their concerts, plays, and sporting events, going out of her way to make each of them know how much she loved them.

Mary was also passionate about her sports, as long as it was a Pittsburgh team, (high school, college, or professional), she was listening or watching and rooting hard. Her love of playing cards and her competitive streak were legendary. Playing in three card clubs or with family, she rarely lost. Mary's love of books was extensive. She was always reading two books at a time.

After retiring from the bank, she began working at the Mount Lebanon Book Cellar. Mary was quietly but singularly devout and, for many years, was a dedicated volunteer at Church of the Resurrection Roman Catholic Church in the Brookline neighborhood of the South Hills of Pittsburgh.

Mary and Tom vacationed every year with the entire clan of 30 in one house. It was a vacation no one ever wanted to miss. There was a continuous game of 500 being played, usually with Mary at the table. Her legacy is her family and passion for life. God bless - we lost an iron-willed, independent, strong, and inspiring lady.

Mary Alice Pillion, died peacefully at her home with loving family at her side on February 14, 2021, at the age of 88. Mary ("Chickie") died exactly one day shy of the first anniversary of the death of her beloved husband. Mary and Tom shared an incredible romance that lasted 64.5 years, reuniting on Valentine's Day.

She is survived by her 5 devoted children, 15 grandchildren, and her three great-grandchildren She is also survived by a brother and 2 sisters-in-law. She was predeceased by her sister, Helene, and brothers, Reds, Jack, and Patrick.

Viewing was private, but friends were invited to the Funeral Mass celebrated on Friday, February 19, 2021, at 1 p.m., at St. Louise de Marillac Catholic Church in the Upper St. Clair suburb in the South Hills of Pittsburgh. Burial was private with a Celebration of Life planned for a future date.

Information from the February 18, 2021, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Additional information from and submitted by former neighbor Angela, Member #48520699.