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Mary E. (Cagley) DePra

September 12, 1932 - April 30, 2024

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Obituary For Mary E. (Cagley) DePra

Age 91, of Upper St. Clair, formerly of Johnstown, passed away on Tuesday, April 30, 2024.
Beloved wife of 63 years to Elmer J. DePra; loving mother of Joseph (Becky), Patricia, Thomas (Sue) and Daniel (Jill); caring Nuni of Joshua, Lucas, Leah (Garrett), Hannah, Jack, and the late Emma Marie; proud great-grandmother of Colden; sister of Norma Christie, Judi Cagley and the late Tillie Steele. Also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and their families.
Mary earned a Bachelor’s degree in music education from the Indiana State Teachers College (now IUP), a Master’s degree in music education from Duquesne University and a Master of Science in Library Science from Clarion University of PA. Over her nearly 40-year career, she worked as an organist, a music director, a music teacher, a high school choral director, a substitute teacher, and a librarian.
“When I am an old woman, I shall wear purple… and play bridge.” Mary did just that; and with her sister Judi, passed their bridge skills to their granddaughters Hannah and Amelia as often as they could. Mary’s love for her family and our Lord Jesus was steadfast as is our love for her. She will be missed every day until we meet again in Heaven.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, May 3, 2024 in Our Lady of Hope Parish, St. Valentine Church at 10:00 a.m. A celebration and gathering will follow in the John F. Slater Funeral Home Venue, The Whitehall House from 12-2 p.m. Arrangements handled by the John F. Slater Funeral Home, Inc., 412-881-4100, 4201 Brownsville Road, Brentwood 15227. If desired family suggests contributions to the Guatemala Medical Mission, www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/TE55DSEH3ZYVN or Pregnancy Resource Center of the Valleys www.prcvalleys.org/donate.html or Mission Vision mission-vision.org/ Please send condolences to www.johnfslater.com

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  • May 07, 2024

    My thoughts and prayers are with Mary's husband and family. She was a special friend to me. We enjoyed many good times and many bridge games together. We never lost touch with each other even as she moved closer to her family. She will be remembered through memories. Maryann Minahan

  • May 04, 2024

    I knew both Miss Cagley and Mrs DePra so my memory goes back to Ferndale High School in Johnstown. Though my teaching degree is in math, my heart and soul are in music. I knew the moment I saw her photo in the Johnstown paper that she was my choral teacher. I am now 79 and I have lived most of my life in Yuma, AZ but I remember this lovely lady well. Though I don't have the music degree I have been a life long singer and choir director in churches. Rest in peace, Mrs. DePra. Kathy Johnston Boyd

  • May 02, 2024

    Mary's soul has taken flight by the Angels. Our hearts are heavy. I think of the following poem: "A Butterfly lights beside us like a Sunbeam, and for a brief moment it's glory and beauty belong to our world. But then it flies on again and though we wish it could have stayed, we feel so lucky to have seen it." We miss you Mary. Jayne Wilson

  • May 01, 2024

    Mrs DePra and her husband achieved the highest honor is raising their children to become great adults parents and credits to their name. She shared her guidance to many others through her professional career. To her family I offer my sympathies in the hopes that when they remember her through the tears they will see her smiling face