MARY IDA HIGHFIELD - Obituary

East Liverpool Review
Nov. 15, 2004

Mary Ida Highfield, 92

CHESTER -- Mary Ida Highfield, 92, died Saturday, Nov. 13, 2004, at the Weirton Medical Center following a brief illness.

A daughter of the late Clarence Merle and Ida Mary Smeltz Highfield, she was born in East Liverpool on March 24, 1912.

Mary was a lifetime resident of this area having graduated from the former Wells High School in Newell and West Liberty State College. She began her 38-year teaching career in the one-room Allison School House and retired in 1971 from the now closed Jefferson Elementary School in Newell.

A devout Catholic, Mary attended Sacred Heart Church in Chester where she taught catechism, was a member of the Parish Council, the building committee and was an active member of the Ladies Guild. Mary’s calling in life was to care for and visit the sick.

She was also a member of the Chester Asbury Farm Women and Hancock County Retired Teachers Association.

Mary was the last living member of her family having been preceded in death by her five brothers, Paul, Merle, Irvin, William, and Dale. Edgar Allison, a lifelong friend, also preceded her in death along with a nephew and a niece, Bill and Bonnie Highfield and Clarence Wollam, nephew by marriage.

Survivors include Mary Jane Wollam, who was raised by the Highfield family and was considered by Mary as a sister instead of a niece. Other survivors include her sister-in-law, Mrs. Dale (Jean) Highfield and numerous nieces and nephews including Michael (Karen) Highfield, Patricia (Joe) Trubiano, Cathy (Bob) Glass, Terry (Debbie) Highfield,
Barry (Cherie) Highfield, Scott (Karen) Highfield, Ann (Dale) Berger, Joe (Florence) Highfield, Teresa Highfield, Dimoff, Sandy (Keith) Pattison and Tom (Vanessa) Highfield. Also surviving are 27 great-nieces and nephews.

Friends will be received at the Turley Funeral Home in New Cumberland on Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. The Rosary will be recited by her family at 3 p.m. on Tuesday. A Wake Service will be conducted at 8 p.m. by the Rev. Lino Ebejer.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Church in Chester on Wednesday at 10 a.m. by Father Ebejer. Burial will follow at the Locust Hill Cemetery in Chester.