Mary Brickman Gamble

Mary Brickman Gamble died Wednesday, February 2, 2011 after several months of failing health. She was born on June 19, 1918 in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, grew up in Pittsburgh and came to Meadville in September, 1936 to attend Allegheny College. She would describe how she carried a very heavy suitcase as she walked north up Park Avenue from the Meadville railroad station to Allegheny.

She graduated from Allegheny in June of 1939, an economics major, Phi Beta Kappa. In order to be considered for any job, she was required to learn to type. After acquiring that skill, she found a job in the personnel department of Talon, Inc., at the time the largest employer in Meadville. She met her husband, John Gamble, at Talon. They were married June 27, 1942 in Cleveland, Ohio. The wedding was small and logistically complex due widely a dispersed family and gasoline rationing during World War II.

She lived almost her entire adult life in Meadville, except for 1943-1944 when her husband’s war-related work took them to New York City. Her husband, John, died in 1986. She is survived by her three children: John, Martha, and Bruce; and four grandchildren, Jerry Rodgers, John Gamble, IV., Krysta Gamble, and Scott Gamble.

Her wish for friends and family would be to remember that people, not places or things, matter most. And she would tell us, firmly, not to dwell on her death. There will be no viewing hours or public service. PLEASE—no flowers. Memorials may be made to Allegheny College, 520 N. Main Street, Meadville, PA 16335.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, Inc., 581 Chestnut Street, Meadville.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.waidfuneralhome.net.