Mary Lou Wanchisn passed away peacefully on Friday, April 3, 2026, at her home, leaving behind a legacy of love, hard work, and devotion to family. Born on April 20, 1938, in Waterman, she was the daughter of Mike and Mary (Lellick) Rado.
Mary Lou was a member of Saint Mary’s Holy Protection Byzantine Catholic Church, Homer City. She was a dedicated worker throughout her life, having been employed by Penn Traffic and Robert Shaw. In her free time, she found joy in the simple pleasures of life, especially cooking, baking, yard work, and keeping a welcoming home. She loved preparing special Sunday dinners after church, a tradition that brought her family together.
She is survived by her loving children, Debbie MacBlane (James) of McKinney, Texas, and Carol Mlakar (Mark) of Lucernemines. She was a proud grandmother to Mike McBlane (April) of Texas, Ashley MacBlane of Texas, and Matthew Mlakar of Lucerne.
She is also survived by her brother-in-law, Paul, and wife, Judy Wanchisn, of Marion Center, Pennsylvania; sisters-in-law, Mary Durnwald, of St. Petersburg, Florida; Barb Rado, of Homer City, and Pauline Yerecic, of Cranberry Township. Her special niece and nephew, Theresa and Jim, along with many other family members and friends, will miss her dearly.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband; two brothers, Jim and Mike; and her sister, Dolores Fenton.
A Divine Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, April 10, 2026, at 10:00 AM at Saint Mary’s Holy Protection Byzantine Catholic Church, Homer City. Interment will follow at St. Bernard Cemetery, Indiana.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the church in her memory.
