Mary Speedy

Mary Speedy (née Mary Helen Emery), 81, passed away peacefully on May 2, 2025, in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. Born on October 20, 1943, in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, Mary lived a life deeply rooted in faith, service, and love.

The eldest of seven children born to the Rev. William Fletcher Emery and Mary Helen Emery (née Ross), Mary’s earliest years were spent in Mays Landing, N.J. However, the majority of her childhood was spent growing up in the small rural community of New Park in York County, PA, where her father was the minister at Centre Presbyterian Church. Her early experiences as a pastor’s daughter shaped her lifelong commitment to Christian education. She first felt God’s call to be a Christian educator as a teenager and followed that calling with unwavering dedication throughout her life.

Mary earned her B.A. in Christian Education from Waynesburg College in Pennsylvania, where she also met the love of her life, Jim Speedy. Her career as a Certified Educator in the Presbyterian Church (USA) spanned decades and touched countless lives at every level of the denomination.

At the local level, she served as Director of Christian Education at several churches, where her passion for teaching and nurturing faith flourished. In addition to directing and coordinating Sunday school programs, she also initiated and led multiple weekly afterschool church programs for various age groups, children’s sermons, bible studies, confirmation classes, Vacation Bible School, youth retreats and other church events throughout the year for children and their families.

Her leadership extended beyond the local church. As an educational consultant with the Synod of the Trinity, she served the Carlisle and Donegal Presbyteries and played a key role in organizing and facilitating the annual summer “Synod School.” At the national level, she contributed to curriculum development at the General Assembly’s Curriculum Publishing office in Louisville, Kentucky, where she helped develop the Covenant People Curriculum and was the first leader of the Presbyterians Organized in Nurture and Teaching (POINT) program.

Mary’s service within PCUSA was both broad and deep. She was ordained as both a Deacon and an Elder and served as Moderator of both the Synod of the Trinity and the Presbytery of Carlisle. She also held positions on numerous committees and commissions, including the Permanent Judicial Commission of the Synod of the Trinity. In recognition of her extraordinary contributions to Christian education, she received the Lifetime Achievement Award from The Association of Presbyterian Church Educators (APCE) in 2013.

Despite her many accomplishments, Mary said that what brought her the greatest joy was teaching children in Sunday School. Her legacy as a strong, thoughtful, and enthusiastic leader; a gifted and creative educator; a gracious mentor; and a tireless servant of Christ will continue to inspire those who knew her.

Mary was also known for her warmth beyond the church walls. A talented and prolific knitter, she spent much of her retirement volunteering to teach knitting classes at her favorite yarn store and enjoying weekly “knit and chats” with friends. She loved cooking, going on “auction weekends” with friends, and most especially spending time with her beloved grandchildren. Her family will cherish their memories of her as a loving and supportive wife, mother and grandmother.

She is survived by her devoted husband Jim Speedy; daughter Melissa Pilla of Seattle; son LTC Edward Speedy (RET.) of Kansas City; grandchildren Natalie Pilla and Ben Pilla; two younger sisters and four younger brothers – Bill Emery, Paul Emery, Cindy Sproat, Jim Emery, Betsy McPherson, and Tom Emery, and their families – including numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews who all loved their Aunt Mary.

A Service of Witness to the Resurrection celebrating Mary’s life will be held on Saturday, May 10, 2025 at 2:00 pm at Mechanicsburg Presbyterian Church, 300 E. Simpson Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Mary’s memory to Mechanicsburg Presbyterian Church.

Mary’s strength, wisdom, encouragement—and above all—her faithful heart will be deeply missed by all who were blessed to know her. May her memory bring comfort to those who mourn her passing and joy to those who remember her radiant and gracious spirit.

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