Mary Margaret Payung

Mary Margaret (Rodgers) Payung, 86, of Butler, was welcomed in glory by the angels and our Lord on November 29, 2022. Mary was born in Butler on August 1, 1936 by her parents, the late Kenneth and Theresa Rodgers. She was the first of their ten children, and spent most of her childhood keeping them all in line.

Mary was a devout Catholic and thought of joining the convent before she met the love of her life, Gordon. A lifelong member of All Saints Parish, St. Conrad Roman Catholic Church. Mary was devoted to the Catholic Faith. She passed this belief to her children and grandchildren, not through lessons or preachings, but through the way she approached and carried out her daily tasks. She was a promoter of peace and believed that goodness could be found in every soul. Mary wrote poetry, saved every card you sent her, and loved family traditions, including Christmas Tea, fireworks in the backyard on the Fourth of July, and the Annual Cookie Jar Exchange. She was employed by Diana Paradise and Butler Family Drug for nineteen years before retiring in 1996; but invested her life in her family, who she infused with tenderness and love. In her free time, when she wasn’t praying, ironing, or serving sherbert to her grandchildren, Mary would spend countless hours making rosaries on her back porch, making up her own rules to board games, and getting involved in church activities. She served on the St. Fidelis Funeral Luncheon Committee, Marian Movements for Priests, Alter Society, CCD Teacher, Our Lady Rosary Makers, Mater Delarosa, and Legion of Mary Auxiliary. She was recognized for her service in the Girl Scouts of America when she received the St. Ann Award. Mary graduated from Fairview Township-Karns City High School in 1955. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters, Joann and Virginia, brother John, and precious grandson Mitchell. She will be missed by her surviving husband of sixty-three years, Gordon; children Barry (Dianne), Christina (Chuck), Anita, Gina (Brian), and Paula (Donny); fifteen grandchildren, Eric, Bryan and Brandon, Luke, Aimee, Christina, Dominic, Monica, Joey and David, Brianna, Makenna, and Chandler, Erika and Kierra; six great grandchildren, Ana, Novela, Hugh, Dilek, Opal, and Noelle; five sisters Theresa, Judy, Patricia, Geraldine, Michaele, one brother Richard, 2 brothers-in-law and 3 sisters-in-law to whom she was devoted.

Friends will be received at Geibel Funeral Home, 201 East Cunningham St. from 2-4 pm and from 6-8 pm Friday. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated Saturday at 10:00 am at St. Conrad Roman Catholic Church, 125 Buttercup Road, Butler. Entombment will follow at Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum.

The Rosary will be recited at 9:30 am Saturday at St. Conrad Roman Catholic Church.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Lifeline of Butler, 422 N Main St A, Butler, PA 16001, and sing a Hail Mary for our sweet Mama’s soul.

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