Mary Grace Gubanic

A long-time resident of Etna, Mary Grace Gubanic passed away on January 23, 2026, at the age of 96. Born September 18, 1929, in Indiana Township, she was the daughter of the late Philip and Clara (Gloss) Newcamp.

She attended Etna High School where she was a member of the National Honor Society and Junior Assembly. She subsequently received a commercial certificate from Robert Morris College and became a secretary for several years at Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co.

On February 6, 1951, she married her high school sweetheart, Raymond “Guby” Gubanic, in what seemed to be an unlikely match of a serious honor student and a fun-loving athlete. Sharing a deep love of faith and family and an enduring marriage of 56 years, they established roots in Etna where they embraced their community and raised their three surviving children, Michael (Debbie) Gubanic, Barbara (Stephen) Hecht, and Anna Marie (Jim) Mohler. Mary Grace lovingly and patiently cared for her husband during his decline with dementia.

A trailblazer for working mothers, Mary Grace re-entered the workforce in 1967 as a clerk at PPG Industries and retired there as a sales correspondent in 1992. She often brought home from work discarded gallons of “mismatched” paint that she zealously applied to walls and furniture throughout the house. Driving locally until her late 80s, she negotiated a premium reduction in her auto insurance because of her long-time safe driving record. Elder family members and neighbors relied on the kindness of Mary Grace to drive them to church, medical appointments, and the grocery store.

One of 11 siblings, Mary Grace grew up on a farm and in a house built by her dad and uncles from a Sears kit. She loved to reminisce about her childhood and family shenanigans. She often repeated the story of when her dad’s Model T flipped in the driving rain, spilling the family brood into the mud. After righting the vehicle and ushering the children back in the car, their unrattled dad calmly drove them to Mass where they prayed in gratitude for emerging without injuries from the accident.

A prolific reader, puzzle-solver, and skilled crocheter, Mary Grace kept on top of the news and local sports teams and had a keen memory for significant dates and milestones.

In addition to her children, Mary Grace is survived by four grandchildren, Brian (Cecilia Ebitz) Hecht; Carol Lynn (Bill Oliver) Hecht; Kevin (Bonnie West) Mohler; and Daniel Mohler; and a great grandson, Ralph Hecht.

Preceding her in death were four brothers, William Newcamp, Charles Newcamp, George Newcamp, and infant, Clarence; six sisters, Clara Gaughan, Dolores Wagner, Dorothy Hartman, Catherine Hohman, and infants, Anna Mae and Stella; and her beloved sister-in-law, Ruth Gubanic.

The family is grateful to the compassionate care team at Pinnacle Hospice Care and the staff at The Haven who helped Mary Grace find her singing voice.

Friends will be received on Wednesday from 2:00 to 6:00 PM at the Bock Funeral Home, Ltd., 1500 Mt. Royal Blvd., Glenshaw. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday at 10:30 AM in Christ the King Church, St. Mary’s Church, Sharpsburg. EVERYONE PLEASE MEET AT CHURCH.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Bread of Life Food Pantry in Etna.