Mary "Mary Lou" Louise (Casterline) Pierce-McLain

Mary Lou Pierce McLain, of Silver Spring Township, died peacefully on Saturday, February 3, 2024, leaving behind her loving husband, Roy C. McLain, her beloved children, son William R. Pierce Jr. and his wife, Ann, of New Cumberland, son Richard J. Pierce and his wife, Audra, of Silver Spring Township, and daughter, Loren Pierce Alexis, and her husband, George, of Basking Ridge, New Jersey. She was a devoted and loving grandmother to Cole (Elena), Tyler (Jennifer), Nathan, Nicholas, and Brayden Pierce and to Peter, Caroline, and Emma Alexis. She cherished every moment with her great grandson, Wills Pierce. She is also survived by her brother Marvin Casterline (Marge), sister-in-law Patricia Casterline, six nieces and a nephew. Mary Lou is also survived by her stepchildren, Linda (Michael) Nace and Michael and Craig McLain, 10 step grandchildren, and 15 step great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, William R. Pierce; her parents, Lucy Darragh Casterline and Marvin Casterline; and her siblings Jean Edgarton and William Casterline. 

Mary Lou was born and raised in Kingston, Pennsylvania. She graduated from the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital School of Nursing and St. Francis University. Mary Lou went on to complete advanced graduate study at The Pennsylvania State University, where she deepened her devotion to the Nittany Lions. Penn State memorabilia filled Mary Lou’s home, and she enjoyed many years as a season ticket holder, happily spending fall Saturdays in Beaver Stadium with family and friends.

After moving to Silver Spring Township with her husband, Bill, and their children, Mary Lou worked in multiple departments at Harrisburg Hospital for 27 years as a nurse, supervisor, and manager. She led with conviction and compassion and was instrumental in the development of the hospital’s first Outpatient Surgery Department.

Following her retirement from Harrisburg Hospital, she moved into the education field, teaching in the Career Enrichment Program at Polyclinic Hospital. She taught aspiring medical-career students in the Health Occupations Program at the Cumberland Perry Vocational Technical School. Drawing on her clinical experience and passion for helping others, she embraced her students with a generous heart and infused her classroom with humanity. 

Mary Lou was a vibrant member of the Silver Spring Presbyterian Church. She volunteered in many capacities, including roles as Ruling Elder, Clerk of the Session, Deacon, Teacher, and President of the Women’s Association. She especially enjoyed the mission trips to Maine and West Virginia as part of the Reach Out and Rebuild group, where she spread God’s love and her own infectious joy and gratitude. 

Mary Lou shared her gifts with Silver Spring Township, where she was a pillar of her community for over 50 years. If someone needed a helping hand, the natural call to make was to Mary Lou. She volunteered for Meals on Wheels and Downtown Daily Bread. She served as an elected member of the Board of Supervisors of Silver Spring Township for 12 years and as the Chair of the Zoning Hearing Board for 10. She also served on the Board of Trustees of the Joseph T. Simpson Library, where she chaired the library’s 50th anniversary celebration and continued to volunteer for several years following her tenure on the board. Mary Lou was a member of the Senior Advisory Council of Cumberland County and the Board of Directors for Beacon Clinic. She also was a member of the Mental Health Advisory Council of Holy Spirit Hospital and the Board of Directors of the Eagle Foundation. 

Active in Republican politics since 1967, she served as Committee Woman, Judge of Elections, and President of the Cumberland County Council of Republican Women. She was a member of the Governor’s Club of Cumberland County and enjoyed working on political campaigns over the years.

Mary Lou was forever grateful for the opportunities to serve others, but nothing was more important to her than family. She shared her love freely and welcomed everyone. She never took her good fortune for granted and could often be overheard telling her grandchildren, “We are truly blessed.” Blessed indeed, Mary Lou was a good and faithful servant, and her grace and devotion to others were blessings to her family and everyone who knew her.  

A celebration-of-life service will be held at her church, Silver Spring Presbyterian, at 444 Silver Spring Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050 on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be at Buhrig Funeral Home in Mechanicsburg on Friday, March 15, 2024, from 5:00-8:00 p.m.  

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Silver Spring Presbyterian Church Endowment Fund, 444 Silver Spring Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050 or the Joseph T. Simpson Library, 16 North Walnut Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055.