Mary Catherine Breinig

Breinig, Mary Catherine (Mary Kay, Tia)

Of Reserve on February 24, at the age of 86.  

Mary Kay was a strong advocate of getting a good education. She went to Ursuline Academy, got an undergraduate degree from Duquesne University, her Master’s degree and Doctorate of Virology from the University of Pittsburgh, and did her post doctorate graduate studies at the Medical College of Virginia at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond.  She worked many years doing medical research for the Graduate School of Public Health at Pitt, as well as being an assistant professor.  She had great stories about old techniques they used, how far ethics have come, smoking in the labs (she wasn’t proud of that one), and a time when experimental geese had to be housed in the bathroom. She was an avid reader, and got out of a lot of chores as a kid because she “had her nose in a book”.  She was also very proud of her nieces and nephews for all of the schooling they received.  She was a frequent volunteer at her grandnieces’ and grandnephews’ school events, and did plenty of babysitting during summer vacation and on kids’ sick days. She put countless miles on her car taxiing kids.  She also sat through countless football, baseball, basketball, and soccer games to support everyone, even though she wasn’t particularly fond of sports.  

She was passionate about the arts.  She took scores of family members to many Broadway musicals (even overseas), ballets, symphonies, and museums.  She enjoyed her retirement years by traveling and ushering at the Benedum Center (especially for the matinee field trips).  She was a seasoned traveler, and instilled that love in many of her nieces and nephews, starting them off young by teaching them how to navigate airports and flying.  She was proud of the stamps on her passport, and couldn’t wait to hear and see pictures of others’ travels.  She wasn’t too fond of the beach, but wouldn’t miss a vacation there just to be traveling and spending time with family.  She was a foodie before it became a word, always keeping abreast of who opened a new restaurant where, and liked to be a patron of them.  She was renowned for her love of lobster rolls, and Ho Jo’s clam rolls, and always questioned kids with “Did you bring your manners?  Otherwise, Mr. Howard Johnson won’t let us come back.”  Though she balked at paying $30 for a Steeler t-shirt for Super Bowls, she was more than happy to spend several hundred dollars to treat family to a gourmet meal and drinks.  She frequently had a glass of wine and “hor-dervees” or “schnicky schnacks” before her dinner.  But mostly, she was fiercely devoted to her family, she was the best aunt anyone could ask for.  Her generosity with her love, time and money knew no boundaries.  She was always there whenever you needed her (even for 2 am calls for a sober driver) and asked for nothing in return.  She was also blessed to have had several lifelong true friends.

Preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Catherine (Einloth) Breinig and her grandnephew Austin Critchlow.  Survived by sisters Phyllis (Buddy) Hunt, Carolyne (Bill) Nickel, and Sharon (Bob) Nock; nieces and nephews Barb (Jim) Guinther, Bill (Joyce) Nickel, Joellen (Mike) Critchlow, Susan (Bill) Geppert, Richard Nock, Michael (Jen) Nock, Jen (Rick) Schwartz, Judith (Randy King) Nock, Michael (Erica) Hunt, Cheranne (Mark) Jurena, and Michelle (Allen) Wu; 21 grandnieces and grandnephews; 2 great grandnephews and another great grand on the way; and godmother to 8.

Visitation Wednesday, March 1 from 2-8 PM at Neely Funeral Home, 2208 Mt. Royal Blvd., Glenshaw.

Funeral Mass Thursday, March 2 at 10 AM at St. Matthew Parish, St. Aloysius Church, Mt. Troy Rd. EVERYONE PLEASE MEET AT CHURCH. 

If you would like to make a charitable donation in her name, she supported St. Jude’s Hospital Research, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation, and the Shriner’s Hospital.

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