Mary Whitcomb Pietrylo

Mary Winifred Freaney Whitcomb Pietrylo, 94, of Salamanca, NY died Friday, July 5, 2024 at Olean General Hospital surrounded by her family.

Born January 13, 1930 in Bradford, PA, she was the daughter of the late William Patrick and Mary Winifred Hinchey Freaney. Mary’s family moved to Salamanca three years later and Salamanca became her home.

A member of the Salamanca High School Class of 1947, Mary went on to attend St. Bonaventure University, and was one of the first women to graduate on the campus itself—as a proud member of the Class of 1951.

Mary worked as a Cattaraugus County Child Welfare Caseworker for three years.

On October 23, 1954, she married Dean Wallace Whitcomb of Little Valley, NY. After the birth of their first son, she became a stay-at-home mother. Dean and Mary would go on to have six children in total, all of whom survive: Mark Bradley (Christina) Whitcomb, Laurence Dean (Connie) Whitcomb, Dana Michael (Jillena) Whitcomb, Laura Winifred (Randy-deceased 2017) Riley, Mary Kathryn (Charles) Oyler, Timothy Scot (Michelle) Whitcomb.

After Dean passed suddenly in 1973 at 43 years of age, Mary earned her master’s degree and re-entered the work force. She was employed as a grade schoolteacher at St. Patrick’s School from 1974-1978. She also became involved in the CCD Program, teaching seniors at St. Patrick’s Parish and went on to serve as CCD Coordinator for several years. She was a woman of profound faith who extended her love and kindness to all she encountered. In the summer of 1978, Mary started teaching at the N.Y.S. OCFS Residential Center in Great Valley, NY. She remained there until retiring in 1992. She continued to be a very active substitute teacher, even working in the classrooms of several of her grandchildren until the year 2000. Mary found teaching and working with children both natural and satisfying, guiding younger generations effortlessly with her positivity and infectious smile and laughter.

In 1981, Mary married Leo Pietrylo of Salamanca. Together they enjoyed family, celebrating holidays and birthdays with children and grandchildren all the while creating loving, lasting memories. Leo predeceased Mary on October 25, 2004, after 23 years of marriage.

Mary is survived by her six children and their spouses, 19 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren.

She was predeceased by brothers, William Joseph Freaney, John Richard Freaney, Raymond Francis Freaney, Thomas Edwin Freaney and her beloved sister Jane Therese Freaney, who lived many years with Mary and her family. She enjoyed and cherished a large, close and loving family and she will be remembered by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and very dear friends.

Friends may call at the O’Rourke & O’Rourke Inc Funeral Home, 25 River Street, Salamanca, NY on Thursday, July 11, 2024 from 4-7pm.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in Our Lady of Peace Parish, 274 Broad Street, on Friday at 10:30am.

Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Salamanca, NY.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials made to The Parkinson’s Foundation through Buffalo Moving Day-email MovingDay@parkinson.org or call 1-800-4PD-INFO (473-4636). Select Team Whit

E-condolences can be sent to orourke.orourkefh@gmail.com or posted to facebook.com/onofh.