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BORN
1933
DIED
2022
Mary Reardon Obituary
MARY GERTRUDE REARDON
Mary Gertrude (Hayes) Reardon, 89, residing for the last four years in Cockeysville, Maryland, died peacefully on September 9, 2022. She was born in Berwyn, Pennsylvania on January 10, 1933 to the late Lt. Col. George Patrick Hayes, Jr. and Helen Mary Monica (Doyle) Hayes. Her childhood was spent mostly in Berwyn, followed by Canton, Ohio; she graduated in 1954 from Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia.
In 1956, Mary Gert wed 2nd Lt. Kenneth Norman Reardon, Jr, and they moved north to Ypsilanti, Michigan. Mary Gert and Ken always knew they wanted a large family, and their loving, but short-lived union gifted them with five children: Mary Elaine, Victoria Ann (Norval VanSickle), Paula Sue (Gerald Alms), Kenneth Norman Reardon III, and Diana Lee.
After Ken's death in 1964, Mary Gert moved to Springfield, Virginia to be closer to her family. There, she dove back into her career as an English teacher. The majority of her thirty-two years was spent at Robinson Secondary School (1971-98) teaching writing, grading thousands of essays at the kitchen table, and fostering a love of reading. The novels The Ox-Bow Incident, Captain from Castille, and The Count of Monte Cristo were some of her favorites to use in the classroom.
After retiring, Mary Gert spent her years sleeping in, reading, following horse racing, gardening, visiting her children, and enjoying her various cats and dogs. She was predeceased by her darling sister Katherine Regina Costea and her brother George Patrick Hayes III. She is survived by all five children, as well as grandchildren Cher, Devin (Taylor Scott), Amanda Kate, Tucker (Lindsay Alms), Logan Hayes (Carl Parcels), and six great-grandchildren.
Interment will be with her beloved husband Ken at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to thoroughbredaftercare.org.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Mary Reardon
2 Entries
Steven Lee
September 30, 2024
Mrs. Reardon was my 10th-grade English teacher at Robinson in the mid-90s, and what an inspiration she remains--the kind of passionate, original educator who changes lives. One early assignment was getting us to review a TV show of our choice in the style of Tom Shales. She also let me make short camcorder films as book reports, which sparked a creative streak I hadn't know I'd had. For this Korean immigrant kid, she showed how literary arts could render foreignness into a virtue.
I'm now an English professor and still regularly teach a novel she insisted I read, Nathanael West's "Day of the Locust." Over the years I've googled her, wanting to thank her. I'm sorry that she's now passed away, but hope her family sees this.
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Robert Fobian
August 17, 2023
Greetings Team Reardon and belated condolences to all of you on the loss of Mary...or Mrs. Reardon as we called her in my house. Growing up on Kings Park Drive from the early 70's to the early 90's was a special, special time and a special, special place. Your Mother was a second Mom to my brother and I and all the kids in the neighborhood whenever we were all playing down at your end of the block. If we got into shenanigans and she saw it? Well, she put an end to those shenanigans right quick...and no back talk! And of course, your trampoline in the backyard was a total gas. Vicky, I don't know if you still have your Cougar but, I can still close my eyes and picture that ice blue paint and white interior with the chrome work ALWAYS shining in the bright, Virginia sun! That was THE best car in the neighborhood and it wasn't even close. Thank you all very much for helping my brother and I to grow up right and we will miss your Mom and talk of her often. Peace and love to you all always! :)
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