04/20/2026
Mary H. McCaigue “beloved mother and grandmother”
COUDERSPORT, PA----Mary H. McCaigue, 94. a lifelong resident of Coudersport, passed away on Friday, April 17, 2026, in Sweden Valley Manor, Coudersport.
Born on Tuesday, March 1, 1932 in Borie, she was a daughter of Clayton E. and Wanda A. “Van” Petrosewitz Reed. On May 5, 1951 in St. Eulalia Catholic Church, Coudersport, she married Richard T. “Dick” McCaigue, who passed away on May 1, 2009.
Mary first attended a one room schoolhouse and later graduated from Coudersport High School, Class of 1950. When she was a senior, Mary was voted Miss Coudersport, traveling to Wellsboro to participate in the Laurel Festival. She also competed for the title of Miss Pennsylvania, where she met 63 other girls from counties throughout Pennsylvania.
After high school, Mary was employed by Bell Telephone in Coudersport for five years. In 1954, Dick along with Mary started their own beer distributorship, R. T. McCaigue Beer Distributor, owning and operating it for thirteen years. They later sold and distributed Charles Chips for two years. Lastly they were Amway distributors. Dick was then elected Treasurer of Potter County in 1967, assuming the office in January of 1968. Mary served as Deputy Treasurer the entire time he was Treasurer, from 1968 until retiring in 2000.
Mary was a life member of St. Eulalia Catholic Church in Coudersport where she was a member of Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court Doyle #932, having previously served as Grand Regent and was a recording secretary. She was a member of the Central Grange where she formerly served as secretary for many years. Mary was also a member of the Pennsylvania State Treasurer’s Association. Mary spent many years creating a rock garden in her and Dick’s backyard in Coudersport. Many of the rocks were brought to her from throughout the United States and she brought thousands of rocks from their farm and her parent’s farm in the Prouty area.
Left to cherish her memory are three daughters, Patricia Ann McCaigue-Barry of Florida, Jo Ann McCaigue of Overland Park, KS, and Michele Ann (Ken) Sharp of Lees Summit, Missouri; four grandchildren, Richard Thomas Barry, Autumn Leigh Wolf, Kurt Georg Mueller II, and Kyle A. (Harmony) Sharp; two great-grandchildren, Faith Teegan Adams and Lacey Ann Sharp; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and husband, Mary was predeceased by a brother, Clayton C. Reed; and a sister, Elizabeth “Betty” Sallade.
Family and friends may pay their respects from 9am to 11am on Saturday, April 25, 2026, in the gathering space of St. Eulalia Catholic Church, Coudersport. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11am in the church with The Very Rev. Richard Allen, officiating. Burial will be in St. Eulalia Catholic Cemetery, Coudersport.
In lieu of flowers, Mary had requested Masses be said in her name or donations to be made to St. Eulalia Catholic Church, 6 East Maple Street, Coudersport, PA 16915.
Mary entrusted her care to Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse, PA.
To express condolences, light a candle or share a fond memory of Mary, please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com or the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home page.
