Mary Helen Gannon

Mary Helen Gannon, 98, died Sunday, June 30, 2024.

Born Sept. 27, 1925, she was the daughter of Thomas and Mary O’Toole Joyce, immigrants from County Galway, Ireland, who raised their large family on Cape May Avenue, Beechview. 

Mary Helen attended St. Catherine of Siena School and South Hills High School. As a teen, she worked at Potomac Bakery, Dormont, and following high school graduation in 1943 was employed by Bell of Pennsylvania.

In 1951, she married John Francis “Frank” Gannon, a Homewood native, who died in 2005.

They settled in Scott Township where they raised five children and were active in their community and Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church. 

Mary Helen left her job to start her family and later returned to work at AT&T as an international operator until she retired in 1989. 

Well into her 90s, Mary Helen traveled for vacations and family celebrations; was a loyal and enthusiastic attendee at her grandchildren’s activities; and a well-known supporter of the Chartiers Valley High School basketball community.

She volunteered at her parish church, with Meals on Wheels, and was a member of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians Division 32. 

Through the decades, Mary Helen remained close and connected with her extended family and a wide circle of friends cultivated through her work, church, neighborhood and activities. 

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her oldest son, John Francis Gannon Jr. in 2018. Survivors include her son, Martin (Jenny) Gannon; three daughters, Joyce Gannon (Dennis Roddy), Nancy (the late Todd) Anderson, and Cate Gannon; her beloved grandchildren, Nathan (Brittany) Gannon; Nora Gannon (Cristian Lemus); Seamus Roddy (Alexa Maple) and Mairead Roddy; and her great-grandson, Miles Gannon. 

She was also predeceased by her siblings, Joseph Joyce, John Joyce, Patricia Joyce, Coleman Joyce, Frances Joyce and Barbara Lamb.

Visitation will be held 6-8 p.m. Sunday, July 7 and 2-7 p.m. Monday, July 8 at WILLIAM SLATER II FUNERAL SERVICE, 1650 Greentree Rd., Pittsburgh, PA 15220, (412-563-2800).

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 9 at St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Our Lady of Grace Church, 310 Kane Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15243, followed by interment at Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery. 

The family suggests charitable donations be made to the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians Division 32, 757 Marigold Court, Bridgeville, PA 15017. 

www.slaterfuneral.com