Mary Ellen (McDermott) Hiznaneck

Mary Ellen McDermott Hiznaneck, 73, cherished mother, grandmother, aunt and sister, died on Thursday January 27, 2021 at the Westmoreland Manor. Born in Waterbury, CT on September 21, 1948, she was the oldest of three children to the late John and Margaret Jordan McDermott. 

A 1966 graduate of Naugatuck High School, Mary Ellen shorty thereafter met the love of her life, Joseph “Joey” M. Hiznaneck from Greensburg, while he was touring with his band in NY.They married in 1968 and eventually moved to Greensburg, PA. 

Mary Ellen was vivacious, kind, generous and compassionate. She rooted for the underdog, cared about the Earth, and was a bit of a social justice warrior. She loved all kinds of music, as long as she could dance to it. She was a voracious reader. 

She saw the beauty in everyone and touched the lives of many, especially as an instructor at Pittsburgh Beauty Academy where she was affectionately known as “Mrs. H.” 

Mary Ellen will be deeply missed by her daughter Michelle Keenan; grandson Jordan Keenan; sister Cathy (McDermott) Burke and husband Robert; brother John McDermott and wife Rachel; nieces Nadene (McDermott) Stevenson, Sarah and Rachael Burke; and nephew Cullen McDermott; brother-in-law Stephen Hiznaneck and family; and numerous loved uncles, aunts, cousins, great-nieces and nephews and friends that are like family. 

In addition to her parents, Mary Ellen was preceded in death by her in-laws Joseph F. and Florence Hiznaneck, and her beloved husband Joseph who died in 2000. 

At the family’s request all services are private and entrusted to ASHLEY D.X. NYE CREMATION CARE & FUNERAL HOME INC. 408 DEPOT STREET, YOUNGWOOD. In honor of Mary Ellen’s love of song, dance, literature and art, please consider making a contribution to Westinghouse Arts Academy, a charter school dedicated to providing training in the arts tuition-free for all students. Please visit their website at westinghousearts.org; or send to 320 Marguerite Avenue, Wilmerding 15148. To leave an online condolence or share a memory of Mary Ellen, please visit www.nyefuneralhome.com

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