Mary A. Barr

Mary “Tonky” Antoinette (Fabyanic) Barr, 82, of Hopewell Township returned to her Lord and Savior, April 22nd, 2022.

The daughter of the late Mary Helen and John Fabyanic of Beaver Falls, Mary was known for her outgoing nature while attending St. Mary’s and Big Beaver Falls, “Home of the Fighting Tigers and Joe Namath”. Mary also utilized that gregarious nature while helping customers after school at Hoffman’s (Mervis’s) Pharmacy. After graduation in 1958, Mary found a second job at Meyer China. She eventually left both and became an employee of Westinghouse.

In 1966, Mary met the late Walter A. Barr Jr. and the two were wed in the spring of 1967. Mary and Walter were then blessed with two children, Michael (Sarah) and Milena (William). Mary’s years of caring for her home and children brought her happiness. She found contentment in striving to be as wonderful of a mother for her children as her mother was for her.

Mary returned to the workforce when her children were older. Starting as a cake decorator for Kroger and The Windmill (where she came up with the idea for the Windy Bar), Mary then went to work full-time with Automatic Vendors, Inc (AVI). She worked as a vending attendant at the Tin Mill-LTV until her promotion to Vending Supervisor, overseeing numerous accounts around Beaver Valley for 22 years. After retirement, Mary took on a true labor of love, being Baba to her grandson, Atticus. Her pride in him was obviously to anyone she met; Mary loved him fiercely.

Besides her family, Mary’s other love was her faith. Mary became an active member of Mt. Carmel Evangelical Presbyterian Church serving as Deacon, co-running their food pantry, participating in their vacation Bible and Sunday schools, and sharing fellowship with the Presbyterian Women’s Group. Mary also loved working in their kitchen, especially during the Live Nativity nights.

No matter where she went: a Hopewell Football Mothers meeting, to her bowling league, out with her BBFHS friends for their once-a-month lunch or to meet with the 1958 reunion committee, everyone knew Mary was there! She lived out loud, her heart on her sleeve, making people laugh. Mary was best known for her “BOB” joke, hysterically off-the-cuff comments, and her heard-for-blocks whistle. She was never afraid to be herself or to shine! Her genuineness is why her friends and family loved her.

In addition to Walter, her husband, partner, and helpmate of 53 years, Mary was preceded in death by her cousins with whom she shared her childhood, Francis Galvan and Catherine Modro.

Mary is survived by loving siblings, Barbara “Micy” Adkins and John “Sam” (Helen) Fabyanic, her aunts, Barbara Gabrich and Katherine Rombold, and numerous brother and sisters-in law, nieces, nephews, and cousins, along with her children and grandson.

The family would also like to thank the [email protected] Health Team for their help and the AHN Hospice Team, especially Melissa and Sue, for their wonderful care and kindness in the last months of Mary’s life. It was appreciated by both Mary and her family.

Friends and family will be received on Thursday, April 28th from 2-4 and 6-8pm at Simpson’s Funeral Home, 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca, Pennsylvania, and on Friday from 9 until the time of service at 10am. Mary will be laid to final rest in Mt. Carmel Cemetery located in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania.

In lieu of flowers or familial donations, memorial contributions may be made to Ronald McDonald House Pittsburgh or WQED.

To send flowers to the family or place a tree in memory of Mary A. Barr, please visit our Tribute Store.