Mary E. Lavrich

1937 - 2025

Mary E. Lavrich, 88, of Russellton, West Deer Township, died peacefully at her home surrounded by family on Dec. 16, 2025, after a 12-year battle with dementia. Born in Saxonburg on April 5, 1937, the daughter of the late Joseph and Mary (Ermantrout) Danik. Beloved wife of the late Joseph A. Lavrich. Loving mother of John Lavrich of Mill Hall, Kenneth (Jennifer) Lavrich of Franklin, and Leonard "Lenny" (Elizabeth) Lavrich of Russellton; dear grandmother of Joe Lavrich and Kenny Lavrich. Mary grew up in Saxonburg, graduating from Winfield School. Following high school, she moved to Seattle, WA, to marry the love of her life. After Joe finished his Navy active duty, they returned to Pennsylvania, more specifically Russellton, to begin their life together. Mary then went on to nursing school in Pittsburgh, achieving her LPN degree and maintaining her license until she was 70 years old. She was a member of Our Lady of the Lakes Parish, West Deer. As their kids grew up, they both helped coach their baseball teams and football teams in the Deer Lakes Youth organizations. Mary worked as a private duty nurse for many years and, as a nurse, always cared for local kids and families. Her house was constantly open to friends and neighbors and was where the neighborhood gathered. She was a wonderful cook and loved spending the Fourth of July with family and friends at their camp in Kennerdell. Mary was gifted with sewing and crocheting. She created hundreds of crochet blankets over the years, which were donated to both shut-ins and local hospitals for newborn babies. Mary and her husband loved children and over the years cared for and helped raise many troubled kids. Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her siblings, Joseph "Sonny" Danik, Lester "Bud" Danik, Alan Danik, Veronica "Verna" Meyers, and Margaret "Marge" Savka. Family and friends are welcome from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., Sunday, in the SIWICKI-YANICKO FUNERAL HOME, 23 McKrell Road, Russellton, West Deer, where a blessing service will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, with the Rev. James P. Holland, celebrant. Following, she will be laid to rest next to her husband in Transfiguration Cemetery, Rusellton. View obituary and leave condolences at www.siwicki-yanickofh.com/obituary/Mary-Lavrich