Remembering Mary Alice
More than 20 years after her passing, Mary Alice (Hall) Mock is still promoting the power of history.
Through a memorial history award established at CFA, her husband William Roy Mock—a member of CFA’s Legacy Society—has created a special remembrance for Mary Alice, a Pleasantville nurse and history buff. The award aims to support students who exhibit a similar passion for history. William also worked with the Bedford County Historical Society to help set the award’s parameters.
Mary Alice had an unquenchable interest in the people, places, and stories of America’s past, particularly the Civil War era. She was an active member in the Jennie Wade Auxiliary No. 27, Gettysburg Camp #112, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. She loved to read and amassed an extensive knowledge of U.S. History over her lifetime.
She graduated from Richland High School in 1968 and went on to graduate from a licensed practical nursing program. She was employed at Mercy Hospital in Johnstown and later at Donahoe Manor in Bedford, PA. In addition to her pursuit of history and busy career, she was a loving wife and mother of two daughters.
She assisted her husband with family genealogical research, attended their monthly meeting in Gettysburg, and accompanied him to visit numerous battlefields. She participated in the Adopt-A-Position, clean-up at the Gettysburg National Park, Memorial Day Open House at the GAR (Grand Army of the Republic) Hall, Remembrance Day Parade and Ceremony, and the Christmas Banquet held at the GAR Hall in Gettysburg, PA.
When she was diagnosed with breast cancer at 43, she became an inspiration to all who knew her. Throughout six years of operations and chemotherapy, she never gave up.
As she became dependent on the use of a walker and wheelchair, both the Sons and Auxiliary of the Gettysburg Camp arranged to have a carriage available so she could ride with other Auxiliary members in the annual 1999 Remembrance Day Parade. It was to be her first and final carriage ride through Gettysburg, PA.
On March 7, 2000, Mary Alice quietly passed away at the young age of 49. Two days later, members of the Gettysburg Camp Honor Guard, “The Gettysburg Blues,” (performances at: Gettysburg, Lincoln Memorial in D. C., Andersonville, Georgia, and Arlington National Cemetery), along with members of the Jennie Wade Auxiliary, drove up in convoy fashion from Gettysburg to the J. E. Blackburn Funeral Home in Pleasantville to have a special Civil War funeral service for Mary Alice. Her sendoff was unforgettable and perfectly suited to the special woman she was; so is her legacy.
Through the fund at CFA and her husband’s commitment as a Legacy Society member, the fund established in her honor is designed to become an endowed fund, which means it will remain and support students who love history on her behalf far beyond the couple’s lifetime.
The Community Foundation for the Alleghenies works with individuals and their wealth advisors to create permanent funding for whatever cause or causes you’d like to empower. Your generosity can make a difference in our community, forever.
Becoming part of CFA’s Legacy Society is simple: include Community Foundation for the Alleghenies as a beneficiary of a gift from your estate and notify us of your plan. Please reach out to Director of Donor Services Katrina Perkosky to learn more or get started: kperkosky@cfalleghenies.org / (814) 208-8411.
