Mary A. Burkey 1928-2024
TUCSON, Ariz. — Mary Angeline Burkey, 96, formerly of Boardman, passed away Saturday, Dec 7, 2024, at the Tucson Medical Center inpatient hospice, after a short illness.
Mary Angeline Hastings was born in her parents’ Marion County Ohio farmhouse, Aug. 8, 1928, the daughter of Sarah Belle and Spear Samuel Hastings. Her childhood coincided with the Great Depression and World War II.
Mary graduated from the public school in Marseilles, Ohio, in 1946, and continued her education at Capital University in Columbus. She sang with the Capital University Chapel Choir throughout her education and graduated with a degree in public school music in 1950. She taught at Lincoln Junior High in Newark for the next four years. In 1954, Mary married Donald Wayne Burkey and moved to Youngstown. During this period, she became the choir director at the former Bethlehem Lutheran Church on Midlothian Boulevard, where she served for over 20 years. Following Donald’s death in 1969, Mary recertified in elementary education and restarted her career as a third-grade teacher at West Boulevard Elementary in Boardman. After retirement, Mary remained active in the Youngstown area. She sang with the Youngstown Symphony Chorus, Seraphim and the Bethel Lutheran Church Choir. She was also active with the women’s committee for children’s concerts of the Youngstown Symphony, serving both as program director and president.
In 2016, Mary moved to Tucson, where she made her home with her son and family. She viewed this move as a grand adventure and delighted in the mountain views outside her window as changing sun angles painted the landscape vivid colors.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Donald; his parents, Fred and Alverda; her parents, Spear and Sarah; her brother, Charles (Marguerite); sister-in-law, Ruth E. Burkey; and brother-in-law, Charles (Erna) Burkey.
She leaves sons, Thomas (Jennifer) of Tucson and John (Karen) of Streetsboro; and four grandchildren, Aaron, Michael, Sarah and Kathryn.
Family and friends may call noon to 1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, at the Fox Funeral Home.
A funeral service will follow at 1 p.m. Monday at the funeral home, officiated by Pastor Richard Kidd.
Interment will be in Lake Park Cemetery.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Edward J. Fox & Sons Funeral Home, 4700 Market St., Boardman.
Family and friends of Mary may visit www.foxfuneralhome.org to view this obituary and to leave condolences for the Burkey family.
(special notice)