Mary Ann (Sham) Broge

Mary Ann (Sham) Broge was born April 9, 1935, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to parents Joseph Asher Sham and Dorothy Dolores Sobota. Mary was one of nine siblings: Sr. Dolores Ruth, Alice Jane, Joseph Anthony, James William, Dorothy “Dot” Elizabeth, Richard John, John Joseph, and Matilda “Tillie” Marie. While not wealthy in material things, the Sham family was rich in love and faith, taking pride in their self-sufficiency and joy in their love of music.

A devout Roman Catholic, Mary served the church in many ways, but is best known for her beautiful voice. She sang in the choir and folk group for many years, and later served as the choir director and cantor for many more years. Within the Northside community, she served as a singer for community events, from Veteran’s Day to Independence Day, and her lovely voice was heard at many a graveside ceremony.

In addition to her musical abilities, Mary possessed many creative talents. She was an avid writer of poetry and song lyrics. She loved drawing, oil painting, scrapbooking, and photography. She also had a deep love of learning and devoted a great deal of time during her children’s early years teaching them and preparing them for school.

Mary was happiest surrounded by nature and had a great love of travelling and camping. She, with her husband Donald and their children, travelled to nearly every state in the country, living out of tents and pop-up trailers, enjoying the amazing beauty around them, and singing around the campfire.

When not out travelling the country, Mary’s love of nature continued in her own neighborhood, where she oversaw several community gardens, where she and her neighbors and friends would grow their own produce. Every August and September, her home would be filled with the sounds and smells of soups and vegetables being canned for the winter. Winter would bring the smells of wonderful homemade pies, and Christmas nut rolls, for which she was so well known.

Mary held many jobs over the years, from cleaning homes in her youth, to working as an assistant manager at Winky’s, florist, and choir director. She was a “Jack of all Trades”, out of necessity and determination, and would often work alongside her husband doing house painting, carpentry, masonry, and landscaping. She served as a cub scout master, school volunteer, and “honorary mom” to all the neighborhood kids. Indeed, her most amazing job was that of a mother, with her kindness and patience, her unfailing love and understanding, and her support and encouragement.

Mary passed peacefully from this life on December 21st, at home, surrounded by her children.

Mary is preceded in death by her husband, Donald, her brothers Joseph, Jim, Richard, John, her sisters Dolores, Dorothy, Matilda, and her grandson Bryan. Mary is survived by her sister Alice Hamilton, and children Harvey Vogel, David Vogel, Carol (Vogel) Killian, Mark Vogel, Donna (Broge) Harrington, and Michelle Broge-Connor. She is survived by 12 grandchildren (Mary, Julie, Amy, Angela, Mark Jr., Jessica, David Jr., Richard, Jennifer, Shawn, Morgan and Aislin), 25great grandchildren (Chad, Kayla, Amani, Brian, Cameron, Santino, Brianna, Jordan, Kaitlyn, Elizabeth, Kaiyla, Austin, Skylar, Alyssa, Blaine, Carter, Bridget, Nina, Clara, Anthony, Cory, Zach, Christa, Owen, Eli), and 2 great-great-grandchildren (Madilyn & Ajani), with 5 more on the way!

Friends are invited to the H.P. Brandt Funeral Home 1032 Perry Hwy Pittsburgh PA 15237 on December 27, and December 28, 2023, from 2PM to 4PM and 6PM to 8PM for both days. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Friday December 29th, 2023, at St. Peter Church at 10AM (Christ Our Savior Parish) 720 Arch Street Pittsburgh PA 15212. Please meet at the funeral home at 8:45AM on Friday.

Flowers by West View Floral 412-931-1258