Mary Jo Weber McAuley Lear

Mary Jo Weber McAuley Lear was born January 3, 1922. She passed away following a brief illness on Wednesday, April 14, 2021, at the age of 99. Mary Josephine was the last surviving child of Edward and Agnes (O’Reilly) Weber. She was a descendant of the Frauenheim family, founders of Pittsburgh Brewing Company. Her father, Edward, was a well-known Pittsburgh architect. She was predeceased by her five siblings.

Mary Jo grew up in the East End of Pittsburgh, attending St. Rapheal’s High School. In 1946, she married William McAuley and had three children, Arthur (Patricia) McAuley, Margaret (the late James) Campbell, and Barbara (Mark) Emery. Mary Jo worked at Carnegie Mellon University for thirteen years. Later, she married N. Joe Lear and lived in Milford, Delaware for 41 years. She was stepmother to Joe’s son, Norman (Tracey). Following Joe’s death last June, she returned to Pittsburgh to live with her daughter Margaret. Known as “Grandma Josie,” she is survived by eight beloved grandchildren, Jeffrey, Patrick (Ellen), Virginia (Chris), Jennifer (Ben), Anne (Sean), Kara (Joe), Jessica (Kyle), and Mary Kate; and eleven beloved great-grandchildren. She was also survived by many nieces and nephews.

A passionate volunteer, Mary Jo was active with a rehabilitation school for children, a school library, the Avenue United Methodist Church women’s circle, church bazaars, and donated her time as a clown. Mary Jo was recognized by the state of Delaware for her exemplary service. She was a dedicated follower of the Milford Community Band which her husband, Joe, founded. In addition to painting, Mary Jo was known for her beautiful quilts, gracing family and friends with designs of all kinds. Her specialty was sewing the baby quilts she created. Mary Jo was particularly dedicated to making hundreds of charity blankets for children going into foster care. She loved going shopping, “ladies to lunch,” and dark chocolate. Most of all Mary Jo was full of love for her family who treasured her. She taught us how to love. We will miss her and hold her in our hearts forever.

Family and friends received on Saturday, April 17, 3-5 PM at the SAVOLSKIS-WASIK-GLENN FUNERAL HOME, INC., 3501 Main Street, Munhall, PA 15120. Per her wishes, there will be no service. Inurnment will take place at a later date in the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Millsboro, DE 19966. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to “Project Linus Blankets,” (projectlinus.org/donations/, Project Linus National Headquarters, P. O. Box 1548, Belton, MO 64012). Homemade Project Linus blankets are collected locally and distributed to children in hospitals, shelters, social service agencies, or anywhere that a child might be in need of a big hug. Condolences may be left at www.swgfuneralhome.com.

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