Mary Scalercio was someone who believed in leaving things better than when you found it.
She took that approach in helping Glen Osborne with its parks and holiday preparations as well as general business during her 12 years on council.
Scalercio was in the last weeks of her third term when she died surrounded by loved ones Nov. 28.
Relatives said her passing was after a long battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. She was 74.
Her colleagues called her a dedicated public servant and educator who will be missed.
“She fought a good fight,” said Tom Huddleston, former council president and mayor. “She struggled with illness for about four years, God bless her. “She was in charge of beautification.”
Huddleston called Scalercio a “loyal representative and consistent contributor” at meetings despite having to participate by phone this year due to her health.
Scalercio was highly involved in the borough’s military banner program, which honored present and past soldiers from the area.
A member of the Osborne Trail and Park Association, Scalercio had a passion for parks and spring plantings, She served as public services committee chair.
She made sure trees along Davis Run were pruned to provide mulch for borough flower beds and was instrumental in Osborne Elementary’s Christmas decorations.
“When I think of Mary, she was a woman who was committed to public service,” said Huddleston, a family friend. “She was committed to doing the right thing for everyone in the community, and she was steadfast in her responsibilities.”
Huddleston broke the news of Scalercio’s passing to current council President John Orndorff and other members.
“Mary was very dedicated to her responsibilities in our borough,” Orndorff said. “She’s been very helpful in making sure that things get taken care of.”
Orndorff said everyone knew this would be her last year on council because she declined to seek reelection. However, council was not expecting her passing.
Life of helping people
Scalercio was born in Springfield, Mass., and spent years there and in Longmeadow before moving to the Quaker Valley.
She graduated from Cathedral High School and went on to earn a bachelor’s in speech correction from Carlow University and a master’s in special education from Duquesne University.
The educator worked as a speech-language pathologist for Quaker Valley School District for years and impacted countless students. She was the first person in the Pathology Department and served the district for more than 33 years.
Scalercio was involved in the American Speech and Hearing Association, the Pennsylvania Speech and Hearing Association and the National Education Association.
She also channeled her love of communication as part of borough service. One of her final projects was an overhaul of the borough’s website with the assistance of Councilman Joshua Lambert.
Life at home
While many knew Mary Scalercio as a teacher, councilwoman, speech advocate and decorator, her husband of nearly 40 years, Leo, will remember her as the love of his life.
One of the main things that kept their relationship going was honesty.
“What I liked about Mary is that she let everybody know what she was thinking,” Scalercio said. “Maybe that wasn’t the best thing in the world from time to time, but she let everybody know what was going on. She also knew how to handle people.”
Scalercio recalled driving a convertible during the borough’s Memorial Day parade while his wife threw candy to the crowd.
Trips to Cape Cod and visiting family in Massachusetts also jumped to mind when asked about fond memories together.
Mary was quick to make friends with people no matter where they went.
“I was always amazed at how good she was at that and how people would respond to her regardless of where she’d go,” Scalercio said. “She’d have conversations with complete strangers out of the blue.”
She also helped people through Meals on Wheels and various child health organizations.
“If there was somebody she knew needed help, she would help,” Scalercio said. “She did everything she could possibly do. Pitched in wherever she could and ran a few things.”
Outside of family and community life, her hobbies included playing bridge and visiting the casino.
The couple married at St. Mary’s Church and enjoyed many sunsets and sunrises together.
They have a daughter, Hope K. Scalercio.
Copeland Funeral Home in Sewickley hosted viewings Dec. 2. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated later that day at St. Mary’s Church. A celebration of life took place Dec. 11 at The Edgeworth Club.
Council discussed the vacancy Dec. 16. Officials opted to have it filled at the Jan. 5 reorganization meeting.
Resident Gary Schurman will fill the seat.
Orndorff said they recently learned from Allegheny County officials Schurman earned enough write-in votes from the November election to get on council.