Mary Patricia “Mary Pat” (Ryan) Harper

Mary Patricia “Mary Pat” (Ryan) Harper, passed away on Friday, June 6, 2025, at the age of 75 after a hard-fought, two-year battle with lung cancer.

Born on March 15, 1950, in Pittsburgh, PA, to the late Mary M. (Mitsch) and Paul W. Ryan, where she graduated from Churchill Area High School. Mary Pat married John Joseph Harper in 1974 and began their family in Center Township, PA, before moving to Delaware in 1986. She worked for 28 years in the Red Clay Consolidated School District; retiring as guidance secretary from McKean High School before moving to Middletown, DE. She was a devout Catholic and taught religious education at St. John the Beloved for many years, sharing her deep faith with younger generations.

Her greatest joy in life was her five children and nine grandchildren.  She also cherished spending time with the Ryan and Harper families.  Mary Pat brought love, support, and laughter to every gathering.  Though she may have arrived late, she was always the last to leave the party.

She enjoyed dancing with her late husband John, painting, drawing, playing cards, bowling, dinners with her neighborhood friends, and traveling—especially to visit family in Pittsburgh and on family vacations. Her warmth, smile, and vibrant spirit will be deeply missed.

In addition to her parents, Mary Pat was preceded in death by her husband, John; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Ann and William Harper; and brothers-in-law Bill, Arnold, Tom, and Rich Harper, Jim Kennelly, and Jerry Bell.  She is survived by her children, Dana Sokolowski (Sean), Hannah Mangini (Mike), Shannon Casteel (Dan), John Harper (Rachel), and Joseph Harper;  grandchildren, Sadie, Eli, and Mary Sokolowski, Anthony Mangini, Grace, Daniel, and Bradley Casteel, Ethan and Bria Harper;  siblings, Libby Keough (Clifford), Paul Ryan (Pui), Rita Campbell (Ron), and Sheila Fries (Jim);  sisters-in-law, Carol, Lorraine, and Vicki Harper, Mary Ann Kennelly, and Susie Bell; and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 2 pm until 4 pm and from 6 pm until 8 pm on Sunday, June 22, 2025, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 275 E. Main Street, Middletown, DE 19709. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10:30 am on Monday, June 23, 2025 at St. Joseph’s Parish, 371 E. Main Street, Middletown, DE.  Interment will follow in Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2465 Chesapeake City Road, Bear, DE.

May she rest in peace, reunited with her beloved husband, parents, and family, and may her memory and strong faith in God live on in all who knew her.