VITTONE MARY ANN (CAIRNS) Died Sunday, January 3, 2016, at the Donnell House, surrounded by her family. She was born on July 1, 1937, the daughter of John and Marie (McGregor) Cairns of Monongahela. She was a graduate of Monongahela High School class of 1955. Mary Ann volunteered as an organist for St. Francis of Assisi church in Finleyville and worked as volunteer aide at the Western Center. Her volunteer work led her to seek her college degree in special education from the California University of Pennsylvania. She was enormously proud to achieve her bachelor's degree, in her forties, with perfect grades while raising four young children. She worked until her retirement with the Intermediate Unit #1 helping young people with profound mental disabilities. Possessing incredible patience, she would work with a young person for an entire year to get them to use everyday items the rest of us use daily without a thought. She believed that in order for those with mental disabilities to have the best possible opportunity for a normal life, that it was important for her as an educator to do her best to prepare and educate. Mary Ann subsequently earned her Master's Degree in Special Education and Reading Certification. Mary Ann used every moment which she was given to help others and to satisfy her thirst for knowledge. She had many interests. She worked with the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University as an amateur archeologist which enabled her to explore further her lifelong interest in Southwestern Pennsylvanian Native Americans. This interest was acquired a child, when she roamed the freshly plowed fields of the Mounds near her Monongahela home collecting arrow heads and other artifacts. Applying her diligence to the family's genealogy, she learned much about the origins of the McGregor and Cairns families and of her Scottish roots. She published several papers on the genealogy of Washington County's earliest settlers. Mary Ann was always troubled by an inability to solve one part of her family's history and we who love her now are comforted in the knowledge that she now has learned the origin of the family's local McCormick family connection. Mary Ann was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Monongahela Historical Society, Venetia Heritage Society and Genealogical Society of Southwestern Pennsylvania. In retirement, she enjoyed spending time with her family at her special summer home in Ripley, NY beside her beloved Lake Erie. Mary Ann was the rock upon which the foundation of her family rested. A loving mother, dedicated educator and accomplished musician, she will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. Always practical, compassionate and considerate, she helped all who she could and never put her own welfare above that of others. In death Mary Ann is united again with her parents; a brother, John Cairns; a nephew, Michael Cairns; and her brother-in-law, Jon Russell. She is survived by her husband of 57 wonderful years, Eugene A. J. Vittone; her sister, Kathleen Cairns Russell; her sister-in-law, Rita Cairns; her children, Eugene (Jane Ann) Vittone, Lisa (William) Richard, Cara (Verle) Haines and Lawrence Vittone. She leaves to cherish her memory, her grandchildren and a great-grand child, Verle (Amanda) Haines, Joshua (Alyssa) Haines, Jesse Vittone, Torin Vittone, Michael Vittone, Hunter Vittone, Gabriel Vittone, Laura Vittone, Annabelle Haines; and several nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind her faithful companions, Louise and Lucky. Friends will be received in the MARSHALL MARRA FUNERAL HOME, 216 Chess St., Monongahela, 724-258-6767, marshallmarra funeralhome.com from 2-8 p.m. Tuesday. Funeral prayers will begin in the funeral home at 9 a.m. Wednesday, January 6, 2016, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated in St. Benedict the Abbot, McMurray at 10 a.m. with Fr. Robert Miller as Celebrant. At the family's request, interment in Monongahela Cemetery will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her memory to either Washington County Area Humane Society, 1527 Rt. 136, Eighty Four, PA 15330 or the Monongahela Area Library, 813 West Main St. Monongahela, PA 15063. Send condolences post-gazette.com/gb