Mary Ruth Horsey, encouraged excellence
WHO WAS THAT little girl hiding under the desk, and what was she doing? All the other girls at Elisha Kent Kane Elementary School were learning to cook, clean and sew. But Mary Ruth McHenry was hiding under a desk and reading.
WHO WAS THAT little girl hiding under the desk, and what was she doing?
All the other girls at Elisha Kent Kane Elementary School were learning to cook, clean and sew. But Mary Ruth McHenry was hiding under a desk and reading.
It wasn't that there was anything wrong with learning to cook, clean and sew. It was just that Mary was perhaps more intellectually curious than her schoolmates.
When she had children of her own, Mary was determined to see that they went to college, whatever the obstacles.
And she sacrificed her own time to see to it that students of St. Elizabeth's Parochial School got to alternative classes when St. Elizabeth's was destroyed by fire in 1962.
Mary Ruth Horsey, as she became after marrying Wilbert Joseph Horsey, died April 2 at the age of 85. She was a 20-year employee of the former Defense Supply Center and a much-honored community activist, with special emphasis on children and education.
Mary actually was called Mae in elementary school, a name given to her by her teacher because there were too many Marys in the school.
Some family and friends continued to call her Mae, and a niece, Donna Stoney, and nephew, Gregory Stoney, started calling her "Mae Mae," a nickname that stuck.
Mary was born in Rowan County, N.C., to John and Pearl McHenry. The family, including her sister, Beatrice, moved to Philadelphia to escape racial problems in the South.
Her mother died in childbirth soon after their arrival, leaving their father with two daughters to raise. He later married Viola Cornelius, who raised Mary and Beatrice as one of her own.
After elementary school, Mary attended Vaux Junior High School and then William Penn High School for Girls. There she excelled in track and field, and graduated in 1944. She later attended nursing school.
Mary married in 1945. Because of her love of children, her home was open to all children who needed the kind of love and attention Mary could give them.
"She would always find a way to provide for them," her family said. "A meal with bread, cheese and Kool-Aid would seem like a gourmet feast for some of these children.
"For many children in the neighborhood she was like a second mother. She encouraged learning, hard work and excellence."
Mary had a passion for encouraging her own children and children in the neighborhood to get as much education as possible. To accomplish this, she organized the Guys and Dolls Club, which raised money to pay for excursions that would expose youngsters to arts and entertainment, to provide them the opportunity to visit college campuses and other experiences.
One memorable trip was to the 1964 World's Fair, in New York.
Because of her efforts, the club was mentored by the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, which provided children with writing classes, test-taking strategies and trips.
When St. Elizabeth's, at 23rd and Berks streets, was destroyed in 1962, Mary helped organize a transportation system for the students to attend Our Lady of Mercy Parochial School, at Broad Street and Susquehanna Avenue, until St. Elizabeth's was rebuilt.
"She would awaken early every morning making sure that everyone would get to school safely, and on time," her family said. "Sometimes she had to get taxis in order to get children to school."
St. Elizabeth's was closed in 1993.
Mary was an active member of the Home and School Associations of St. Elizabeth's, John W. Hallahan and Roman Catholic High schools as her children reached those levels. She also encouraged studies in African-American history and culture in the schools' curriculums.
After Mass at St. Elizabeth's Church, Mary would teach the Catechism and read Bible stories to children.
"She made the experience fun and enriching," her family said.
She was also a member of the Willing Workers Club and found enjoyment in learning ceramics.
Mary worked for the Defense Supply Depot from June 1965 to December 1985. She helped make uniforms for the Armed Forces. She received awards for her work.
She also was honored by the Chapel of the Four Chaplains, received the Temple University Award for her community work and the Volunteer Award of the Wharton Center.
"Mary - mother, grandmother, auntie and friend - loved us all and taught us how to love and be loved by her willingness to give of herself," her family said. "She will be missed greatly but she will remain forever in our hearts because of her spirit, enthusiasm, and her faith in God and in the people around her."
She is survived by two daughters, Joanne and Sharon; a son, Michael; and four grandchildren.
Services: Funeral Mass 11 a.m. today at St. Martin de Porres Church, 24th Street and Lehigh Avenue. Friends may call at 9 a.m.