Obituary of Mary McDermott

Mary A. McDermott, 85, of State College, died Sunday, November 17, 2013, at the Fairways at Brookline Village, State College. She was born on July 10, 1928, in Dunmore, Pennsylvania. She was the daughter of the late Stephen M. and Anna Lucas Hutsko. On May 9, 1951 she married Dr. Harry M. McDermott, who preceded her in death on April 3, 1999. In addition to her husband, she was also preceded in death by her brother, Stephen M. (Buddy) Hutsko. She is survived by six children, Dr. Harry M. McDermott III and his wife, Marie, of Tucson, AZ., Dr. Stephen P. McDermott of Needham, MA., Anne L. Peno and her husband, Frank, of State College, Mary Beth Hallberg and her husband, Paul, of Garnet Valley, Nancy L. Sommer and her husband, Tim, of State College and Thomas J. McDermott also of State College and thirteen grandchildren. Mary had one sister, Ann Spott who currently resides in Scranton with her husband, Matthew. Mary was a 1946 graduate of West Scranton High School. After graduation she decided to forgo a music scholarship from Marywood College to pursue a career in nursing. She acquired her RN Degree from The School of Nursing, Scranton State General Hospital in 1949. She went on to work as an ER nurse in the Scranton area for several years. Mary obtained her real estate license in 1974. Shortly after that she went on to acquire her broker's license; and became a founding partner of Associated Realty. Mary concluded her long and rewarding career from the real estate field when she retired at the age of 75. In addition to being a nurse and realtor as well as dedicated wife and mother, Mary spent a good deal of time participating in various philanthropic activities, as she always felt it was the best way to express her gratitude for all of her blessings. She volunteered her time to several causes. Some of her favorites included serving as an officer for both the Fairfax Virginia and Centre County Medical Society Auxiliaries, chairing the Our Lady of Victory Church Bizarre as well as serving on the OLV Finance Committee where she was a parishioner for over 45 years. She also served on the Board of Directors for the Laurelton Institution, for Mentally Challenged Youth & Young Adults. Mary was an avid reader whose other passions included playing the piano, sewing, crocheting, and collecting antiques. But by far her greatest pleasure in life was spending time with her family. Visitation will be 5:00 p.m. until 8 p.m., on Friday, November 22, 2013, at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 South Atherton Street, State College. Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, November 23, 2013 at Our Lady of Victory, 820 Westerly Pkwy, State College, with the Reverend Neil Dadey officiating. Burial will be in Graysville Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to either the Little Sisters of the Poor, www.littlesistersofthepoorgrboston.org or the Covenant House at www.covenanthouse.org Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.