MARY PATRICIA MCCULLUM Mary Patricia McCullum died peacefully on Friday, March 10 surrounded by the love of her children, Kevin, Susan, Colleen and Maureen. She had a deep faith in God and while always active in her parish, bible studies and prayer groups, she practiced her faith by how she lived her life. Born in Pittsburgh, PA in 1935 to Tom and Anna McDonald, Pat worked her way through college and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1957. She met her soul mate, Joe McCullum and they married in 1958. They shared a great sense of humor and passed that wit on to each of their children. At 34, she lost the love her life and while many people might have shrunk from the task, she courageously raised her four children as a single mom. Pat worked for the Allegheny Intermediate Unit as a special education teacher. With an abundance of kindness and patience, she was committed to helping her students overcome their obstacles because she could always see past them and helped them to see it too. She was forever the champion of the underdog and looked for best in everyone but especially in those least fortunate. Pat was devoted to her children and to filling the gap after the loss of their father. In addition to teaching, she became a real estate agent to support their education goals. Although each pursued very different paths in life, she had the wisdom and the gift to guide each of them in their life's journey. Her insight and the strength of her faith will continue to comfort her children through their lives. Pat's faith and her sense of humor were not lost on her grandchildren. They quipped Leave it to Gram to time her death for Good Friday. Max McCullum, Catherine (Cate) McCullum, Conor Frazier, Ian Frazier and Emma Santos loved their grandmother and she adored them. She was so proud of each of them and felt blessed to have them in her life. She also felt that her children had been blessed with their spouses, Dr. Nancy McCullum (Dr. Kevin McCullum), Peter Santos (Colleen McCullum) and Shawn Frazier (Maureen McCullum) and she was very grateful for their love and care especially throughout the last year. She is survived by her sister, Anne (Sis) Gable; her dear friend, Jeanette Carr; her life-long friend, Lilia Melani, nieces and nephews, and her prayer group. She is predeceased by her parents, her beloved Joe, and her brother Tom. Please add or view tributes at www.beinhauer.com. Send condolences post-gazette.com/gb