Mary Frances Lerch
July 21, 1930 - November 16, 2025
Visitation: Friday, 2-8PM, Devlin Funeral Home, Inc. 806 Perry Hwy., Pgh, PA 15229
Service: Saturday, 11AM, St. Teresa of Avila Church, 800 Avila Ct., Pgh, PA 15237
Mary Frances (O’Byrne)
Age 95, of Ross Twp., died Sunday, November 16, 2025. Wife of the late Maurie Lerch; Loving mother of Stephen (Renee) Lerch, Marty (Ginger) Lerch, Mark (Lorraine) Lerch, John (Kimberly) Lerch, Jeannie (Ray) Wattras, Cathy (Geoffrey) Dalbow and Linda (Brad) Forrester; proud grandmother of Colin, Lauren, the late Greg, Melanie, Mary Frances, Shannon, Stephen, Rick, Tara, Jonathan, Kylie, Brendan, Connor and Trinity, Kerry; great-grandmother of Dante, Alex, Andrew, Hallie Jo, Sage, Spencer; Mary Frances is also survived by many loving relatives and friends.
Mary Fran was born in Chicago and graduated from Clarke College in Dubuque, majoring in both Chemistry and Journalism. After her marriage to Maurie, and the birth of their first child, they moved to North Hills and joined St Teresa Church where she has been a parishioner since 1954. Mary Fran was very active in the Parish over the years, from music, to PTG, Christian Mothers, CCD, St Teresa School volunteer and her many years as a lector. After raising seven children, she went back to work at Duquesne University, serving as Academic Advisor in the Psychology Department. Mary loved music and singing, was a voracious reader and enjoyed difficult crossword puzzles. But most of all, she was a woman of faith who loved her family, relished her role as wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Quick to kindness, constantly encouraging, always a brilliant teacher, and mindful of the importance of setting a good example by living her faith, Mary Fran was a true matriarch who leaves an amazing family legacy.
Friends will be received Friday from 2-8PM at DEVLIN FUNERAL HOME, INC. 806 Perry Hwy., Pgh, PA 15229 A Mass of Christian Burial Saturday 11AM in St. Teresa of Avila Church (Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish) 800 Avila Ct., Pgh, PA 15237. Everyone is asked to please meet at church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Music Ministry. The family would like to thank the staff at Vincentian 4-1 and Bridges Hospice for their kind and compassionate care.
Send Flowers Shop Gifts Plant Trees Print Obituary Share Obituary
Mary Frances was a simply wonderful woman who lived her Catholic Faith in a beautiful way. Mary Fran and her dear husband were special parishioners of St Teresa Parish. May her dear family know that this dear woman now lives in the peace of the Lord.
Jeannie, my sincere condolences to you and your entire family on the passing of your mom. What a wonderful and accomplished lady. Sending a prayer your way. John
I am Kimberly’s brother and have fond memories of Mary Fran at the dining room table when I would come back to Pittsburgh for the holidays and Mary Fran would bless us with her presence. God bless Mary Fran. My condolences to her entire family. In my thoughts and prayers. Scott
The Lerch family was blessed to have such a wonderful matriarch. My sincere sympathy and condolences to all of you for your loss. All the best.
Steve, Marty, Mark, John, Jeannie, Kathy, Linda, and family:
Please accept our sincere condolences on the passing of your beloved mother, Mary Fran; devoted wife, mother, and daughter who provided loving care for her own mother for years. An amazing person, your mom’s remarkable life leaves a legacy of wisdom, humor, and love of family.
“It takes a village to raise a child.” In addition to her own seven, your mom had a hand in raising maybe half of Ross Township. I and many others were lucky to have been beneficiaries of her kindness, leadership by example, and grace under pressure.
Our thoughts and prayers – and those of many – are with you in this time of grief. May your abundant memories bring you comfort.
Michael and Janet McDonough
My thoughts and prayers are with Aunt Mary, her children and grandchildren.
Growing up, I spent over 50 days and nights with the family. Aunt Mary welcomed and embraced me with the love of a mother and extended patience greater than she did to her children.
Though I will miss her, it is consoling to know that she is once again in the arms of my Uncle Bud.
She was truly a loving and giving woman.
Please accept my deepest condolences.
My sincere sympathy to the entire family.
Mary Fran was such a blessing to everyone who knew her. She always had a good story to tell of “back in the day!” I enjoyed hearing “all” of them! True matriarch of a wonderful family! ❤️🙏🏻