Mary Theresa Petit de Mange

Mary Theresa Petit de Mange, age 89, wife of Bill Petit de Mange with whom she shared 60 years of happy marriage, passed away on Wednesday, January 18, 2017.

Mary was born on December 24, 1927, to the late Thomas and Mary McKeown and grew up in her beloved Fisher’s Corner, PA. Mary graduated from Media High School in 1945. She was employed by the United States Navy at the Naval Shipyard in Philadelphia, PA and later was employed by the Social Security Administration in Chester, PA.

After their wedding in 1956, Mary and Bill made their home in Wilmington, DE where she became an active member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) Parish. Mary and Bill were blessed with three children: Mary Frey (Larry), Gerry (Alexia), and Anne Flaherty (Gerry). When her children became school age, she volunteered at IHM as a library aide, lunchroom mother, Hot Dog Day Chairwoman, Girl Scout Cookie Director, and field trip chaperone. Later in life, she became a board member of the Cultural Arts Forum at Neumann University which provides scholarships to needy students. She also served as the Program Director of monthly Cultural Arts events at Neumann University.

She was Mom-Mom to eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Mary was preceded in death by her son, Gerard J. Petit de Mange, a granddaughter and a grandson.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Mary’s memory to The Neumann Fund, Neumann University, Office of Institutional Advancement, One Neumann Drive, Aston, PA 19014 or to The Ministry of Caring 115 E. 14th Street, Wilmington, DE. 19801.