We are saddened to announce that Mary (Hackett) Challburg; a long-standing attendee of the PSST meetings has passed away. She gave hope and encouragement to many parents and she wrote on the PSST blog.
We will miss you, Mary.
May you rest in peace.
In Appreciation of Mary's Life and Her Contributions to Us...
We have Included this Song Click Here
MARY (HACKETT) CHALLBURG
Age 48, of Mount Lebanon, on Tuesday evening, July 19, 2011.
Loving mother of Eric, Alexa and Jennifer Challburg; daughter of the late Patricia Hackett and Daniel A.; cherished sister of Jean (Tom) Dugan, Cathy (Jeff) Kennedy, Dan (Joah) Hackett, Janet (Joseph) King, Tricia (Bob) Stocker and the late John P. Hackett; also survived by her husband Scott; and 21 nieces and nephews.
Mary graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work. She was employed as a social worker and therapist with Wesley Spectrum Services.
Friends will be welcomed at LAUGHLIN MEMORIAL CHAPEL, 222 Washington Road, Mt. Lebanon Friday 1-4 and 6-9 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Saint Bernard Church, Saturday morning at 10 o'clock. Interment Queen of Heaven Cemetery.
If desired, memorials may be made to Wesley Spectrum Services, 221 Penn Ave., Wilkinsburg, PA 15221.
www.laughlinfuneralhome.com
Send condolences at post-gazette.com/
Click Here to Link to Mary's Post - A Mother's Letter to the Disease
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In Sympathy ~ Mary (Hackett) Challburg
Posted by:Sally--Thursday, July 21, 2011
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Mary, You are already missed by so many.
You supported the newly formed Wexford meeting years ago. You came every Saturday morning. You would kick me under the table, cough, or just give me the eye when I was letting someone go on too long. You could always feel for the people at the end of the meeting that wouldn't have time to share.
Then, afterwards, you would give me hell for not "picking things up." It was OK because I knew you were right. You were always trying to help right the world. You were our champion at taking on the big odds and making it look easy. Your strength was contagious and our PSST was stronger because you were there.
You were such a source of strength to so many and many PSST parents just needed to hear you say, "Well just stop enabling him(her). Your son(daughter) needs you to be strong!" You didn't say a lot, but what you said was always powerful, short and to the point. And people listened to every word.
You led the way for so many. You spoke out fearlessly when you thought something wasn't right. You seemed to be afraid of nothing. You were a beacon of hope to our parent group.
Then, you adopted and helped us open our first South Hills chapter of PSST. You came to every meeting ready to reach out to other parents. Then, you volunteered to help us in our outpatient program, and, once again, you shared your passion for parenting, recovery, and your zest for living.
It was your dream to go back to school and work in the field of addictions and troubled youth. When someone would ask you where you wanted to eventually work, It was hilarious to see you look at me and say, "Oh I want your job, Lloyd, and someday I'm going to get it." Not just funny but it was a gutsy thing to say because those of us that knew you knew it was not a joke. If time didn't run out, I think you could have pulled it off.
I wish you peace Mary. You deserve it for all the people that you helped, for all the people you inspired, and for all the people that will miss you and will carry the fight now without you. You showed the way to so many, and the good things you did will continue and find a life of it's own.
The world looses a fighter. The rest of us that continue the fight loose a champion. And somehow, the inspiration that you gave us will continue.
You were my great friend, Mary. I wish I could have spent more time with you this last year. We all have so much to be thankful for, and we were all blessed to have you in our life, but our sorrow today is that we only have so much time. Your last lesson to us is to make the best of the time we have left.
I'm sure if you could speak to us today you would say, "let's pick it up Lloyd, there's a lot of work to do."
Thanks Mary, for everything.
Lloyd
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