Mary Fixl September 23, 1935 - February 5, 2021

Mary Therese Fixl peacefully entered into eternal life on February 5, 2021 at her daughter Amy’s home surrounded by her three daughters.  Her passing came just a few weeks after the loss of her beloved husband of 53 years, John. The couple’s family now finds peace in knowing that John and Mary are reunited in heaven, holding hands before God.

Mary was the daughter of the late Michael and Madeline (Finnan) Hughes.  She was a lifelong resident of Pennsylvania – born and raised in Kingston, lived the majority of her life in Mountain Top, and then spent the last five years in Allentown.

After graduating from St. Anne’s Academy, Mary earned a degree in elementary education from Marywood College, just two weeks after her mother’s passing.  Following graduation, she selflessly opted out of her first teaching assignment in Maryland, choosing to remain in Kingston to care for her father whom she adored.  After serving as a librarian at the Osterhout Library, Mary began her teaching career in the Kingston and Wyoming Valley West School Districts and later taught in the Crestwood School District.  She also taught and served as director at St. Paul’s Nursery School.  Mary spent the final twelve years of her career as a first-grade teacher at St. Jude’s School.  St. Jude’s was also her home parish for forty-five years where she served in many volunteer roles and as a Eucharistic Minister.

Mary was petite in stature with a huge, magnificent heart.  Many described her as adorable, sweet, warm, and kind.  Always beautiful inside and out, Mary led by example as a role model in parenting, grandparenting, and teaching…always exhibiting unconditional love.  She embraced her husband’s passion for the arts and travel.  She also treasured the memories of her coast-to-coast road trips and adventures throughout Europe with her cousin Margy.  More than anything, Mary valued family time in her home.  She welcomed company into a house that was filled with an aroma of freshly baked pumpkin bread, pancakes, or chocolate chip cookies.  She loved a family toast with an amaretto sour in hand.  Her Irish wit, compassionate nature, and generous spirit truly touched and enriched the lives of her family, friends, and students.  Mary remained timeless, in many respects never acting her age, always positive and connecting with people of all ages.  A lifelong teacher in and out of the classroom, Mary served as a haven of trust and encouragement.

Her strong faith included a special devotion to the Blessed Mother and to St. Therese, the Little Flower, inspiring many to recite her favorite simple prayer “Little Flower, Show Your Power, In This Hour.”  Mary’s life also embodied the advice of Mother Teresa: “Spread love everywhere you go.  Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.”

Mary was preceded in death by her husband John, parents, brothers Jack and Michael Hughes, and son-in-law Patrick Jenkins.

She will be dearly missed by her daughters Christine (Luis) Alvarez, Amy Jenkins, and Mimi (Thomas) Murphy; loving grandchildren Connor, John Luis, Michael, Christopher, Jack, Morghan, Sean, George, and Dylan; brother George (Sondra) Hughes of Potomac, Maryland; and many dearly loved nieces, nephews, and cousins, in particular Margy Dorish and Mary Ann McNutt who she cherished as sisters.  Mary also cherished her friends and was blessed to have many who considered her a sister or second mother.

Mary’s family is extremely grateful for the loving care she received from all the angels at Luther Crest and Lehigh Valley Hospice.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Thomas More Church at 11:00 AM, Saturday, February 13.  Live-stream of the funeral can be accessed on the parish website (stmchurchallentown.org) or through the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzsFiaNOGqg

Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery.  Arrangements by Stephens Funeral Home, Inc. www.stephensfuneral.com.

In lieu of flowers, Mary’s daughters humbly request that a Rosary be prayed for a very special intention of her family.