Mary Elizabeth Pryde

Mary Elizabeth Pryde, age 80, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 6, 2024, at Main Street Terrace of Lancaster, Ohio, after a long but valiant 17 year battle with cancer. 

Mary was born on February 18, 1944, in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, to the late Thomas and Pansy (Russell) Pryde. She lived 70 of her years in western Pennsylvania. She graduated from Wilkinsburg High School, earned a bachelor’s degree from Baldwin-Wallace College, and earned a master’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh. In her early years, Mary was a third-grade elementary school teacher and a homemaker. She later worked as a telephone operator for the North Pittsburgh Telephone Company, and eventually retired as an assisted living aide on Greensburg Pike.

Mary was a beautiful piano player, a lover of nature, an intelligent and avid reader, and an extremely talented artist. There wasn’t anything she couldn’t make beautiful. Her final paintings and drawings will grace the walls of those who loved her. She enjoyed her cat, football, pro golf, cheeseburgers, Cheetos, Frostys, and cold Diet Pepsi.

Mary is survived by her three children: Sarah (Shaun) Eckels of Columbus, Ohio, Cherith (Jeff) Kahl of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Daniel (Sarah) Brewer of Cincinnati, Ohio; her seven grandchildren: Caleb, Rachel, Abigail, Lucy, Pacey, Cyrus, and Hannah; her sister, Jane (Wesley) Luckey; and her beloved cat, Cinderella.

The family would like to thank the staff of Main Street Terrace as well as Hospice of Central Ohio for the compassionate, attentive, and loving care provided to Mary during her final year of life. It was a gift. 

Per Mary’s request, the family will not be holding services. Arrangements have been entrusted to Leaf Cremation of Ohio. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary’s memory to the Main Street Terrace Care Center of Lancaster, Ohio; Hospice of Central Ohio of Newark, Ohio; or The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute of Columbus, Ohio.