Mary C. Wardlaw “Sgt. 1st Class”
SHINGLEHOUSE, PA---Mary C. Wardlaw, 81, a lifelong resident of Shinglehouse, passed away on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, in UPMC Cole Place, Coudersport, after a long illness.
Born on Saturday, August 28, 1943 in Olean, NY, she was a daughter of Harold and Helen Cornelius Olson. On August 10, 1963 in Adams, Colorado, she married William “Bill” Wardlaw, who passed away on January 15, 1983.
Mary was a graduate of Oswayo Valley High School in Shinglehouse. Upon graduating from high school, Mary enlisted in the US Army in the Women’s Air Corps (WACS). Her military career spanned nearly 22 years retiring at the rank of Sgt. 1st Class. During Mary’s military career, she also was a Red Cross Disaster coordinator, having responded to natural disasters including Hurricane Andrew and Hurricane Hugo. Also during her reserve years, in conjunction with the American Red Cross, Mary taught CPR and first aid.
Mary was a life member of the First Baptist Church in Shinglehouse, where for many years was in charge of the kitchen for dinners held in the church. She also was a volunteer and nurse at Camp Judson, a Baptist youth church camp in Lake City, PA. She was a member of the former Shinglehouse Volunteer Firemen’s Ladies Auxiliary, a member and past ambulance captain for the Shinglehouse Volunteer Ambulance Association, where she also served as an EMT. Mary was a member and past commander of Shinglehouse American Legion Post 530 and a member of the former Shinglehouse American Legion Post 530 Honor Guard. She had been a Brownie troop leader. She was a volunteer for the former Potter County Hospice and was a volunteer for the American Red Cross where she helped families affected by fire receive the needed help to continue with their lives, receiving a 30 Years of Lifetime Achievement Award.
Left to cherish her memory are a daughter, Amber A. (Allen) Salada of Shinglehouse; a son, David “Chuck” (Lisa Franklin) Wardlaw of Shinglehouse; four grandchildren, Tyler (Bonnie) Salada, Tory (Jessica Favinger) Salada, Tonya Salada, and Justin Moore; eleven great-grandchildren, Alex, Jocelyn, Aeralyn, Daivony, Terrielynn, Tessa, Talyha, Raydon, Reznor, Jaxson, and Delilah; two sisters, Linea (Garry) Taylor of Shinglehouse and Cherry (Mike) Feely of Little Genesee, NY; and several nieces and nephews.
Mary was predeceased by her parents and her husband.
Family and friends are invited to attend a celebration of Mary’s life at 1pm on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at the First Baptist Church, Academy Street, Shinglehouse, with Pastor Clint Pearsall, officiating. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery, Shinglehouse.
Members of the Potter County Honor Guard will accord military honors on Tuesday at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Mary’s name may be made to the Shinglehouse Volunteer Ambulance Association, PO Box 98, Shinglehouse, PA 16748; to Shinglehouse American Legion Post 530, 1364 SR 44S. Shinglehouse, PA 16748; or to the First Baptist Church, PO Box 68, Shinglehouse, PA 16748.
Mary’s family has entrusted her care and cremation arrangements to Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse.
To express condolences, light a candle or share a fond memory of Mary, please
visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com
or the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home Facebook page.
