Mary A. McCracken, age 79, formerly of Erie, died at her home in Waterford on Thursday, August 16, 2012, after a long illness.

McCracken, Mary A.Mary was born in Erie on March 20, 1933, the daughter of the late George R. and Marian G. Kleisath Dormann. She lived there most of her life until 1999 when she and her husband, William H. McCracken, moved to Waterford.

With a great interest in public education, Mary was very active with the Erie City schools having been past president of the Lincoln Elementary School PTA, the Academy High School PTA, and the Erie City Council of PTA’s. For several years she was a Cub Scout den mother and later was involved with the Boy Scouts, and she was a talented seamstress, often making clothes or even wedding dresses for family. Mary enjoyed crossword puzzles and, most of all, she loved children, especially her grandchildren and the chance to babysit them.

McCracken, Mary Mary is preceded in death by a sister, Joan Braeger, and a brother, James Dormann. She is survived by her devoted husband, William H. McCracken, whom she married March 24, 1954; six children: Michael McCracken of Erie, Matthew McCracken and wife Kimberly of Waterford, Kimberly McCracken; Corinne Zaffino and husband David of Waterford, and Kevin McCracken and Erin McCracken, both of Erie; also, 10 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren; a sister, Judith Dormann of Waterford; a brother, Mark Dormann and his wife Cathy of Florida; and a brother-in-law, Carl Braeger of Erie.

Friends may call at the Van Matre Funeral Home, 105 Walnut Street, Waterford, on Sunday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. and may attend the funeral service there on Monday at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Shane Thompson officiating. Burial will follow at Waterford Cemetery.