Mary Jane (Colangelo) Doerfler
Age 88, formerly of Penn Hills passed away Tuesday, January 9, 2024, surrounded by family and friends. Beloved daughter of the late Ray and Evelyn Colangelo; Loving wife of the late Donald Doerfler; Loving and caring mother of Donald (Janice), the late Joseph (Carolyn), Evy; loving sister of Peter (Carol) Colangelo and Patty Small (Jim) Carroll; cherished Grandmother of Donnie and Joe Doerfler, Meghan (Mike) Gage, Taylor (Jason) Clausell, and Ray; Great Grandmother of Ava, Colton, Brytlin.
Mary Jane enjoyed her last ten years living with the loving care of her daughter Evy, whom she always proclaimed to be the “best daughter in the World”. She also has a special second daughter, Kim “Weeble” Whigham who loved and adored her second “Mummy”.
Mary Jane was a warrior who bravely fought ovarian cancer under the loving, tireless, dedicated and selfless care of Meg Kirby, who was her “angel on earth”. Mary Jane was blessed with the amazing support of “Team 304” who remained by her side day and night.
After graduation from the Borroughs School of Business, she worked at the Westinghouse Electric Plant, and then for the Allegheny County Register of Wills until her retirement in 1999.
As a young girl and teenager, Mary Jane was an outstanding athlete, especially as a swimmer and basketball player. She earned a Lifeguard Certification at 15 years of age. As a mother, Mary Jane organized, sponsored and managed the Rays and Don Rays girls softball teams, coaching them to seven consecutive annual championships with a 57-2 incredible winning record, while being the leagues’ only female coach/manager. Her winning record was unprecedented.
Mary Jane was an avid sports fan and fierce, honest, and ethical competitor. She enjoyed playing cards, casino trips, watching movies and loved watching her daughter play basketball. Her all-time favorite pastime was cooking for and entertaining family and friends. All were welcome and no one ever left the Doerfler house hungry.
Mary Jane was a loving, caring, and extremely giving person. She inspired and served as a wonderful role model to the many lives that she touched. She will be deeply missed.
THERE WILL BE NO VIEWING. Family and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial at Saint Joseph Roman Catholic Church, 825 Second Street, Verona, PA 15147 on Friday, January 12, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. EVERYONE PLEASE MEET AT THE CHURCH. A burial will follow at Mount Carmel Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Mary Jane to The Greater Pittsburgh Community Foodbank, please. https://pittsburghfoodbank.org/