Mary Alice Patton Plummer

On Oct. 13, 1956, she married Raymond James Plummer of Altoona, in Springfield, Ill.

Surviving are three daughters: Dr. Alice Joyce (The Honorable John Joyce, MD), Julia Plummer Schokker and Elizabeth Plummer McGoldrick; seven grandchildren: Maj. Dean (Lindsey) Mathis, Christopher (Trisha) Mathis, Sean (Natalie) Joyce, Elizabeth and Daniel Joyce and Dr. Mary McGoldrick (fiance, Dr. Matthew Tobias) and James McGoldrick; seven great-grandchildren: Natalie, Shane, Samuel, Evelyn, Josie, Cora and Genevieve; a sister-in law, Jeanne (Riley) Plummer of Hollidaysburg; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond; a brother, Cullen; sisters, Janie (Dick) Schoenberger and Peggy (Bob) O’Shea; and two sons-in-law, Dr. Johannes Schokker and Donald McGoldrick.

Mary Alice was a 1952 graduate of Trinity College in Washington, D.C., with a Bachelor of Arts in French and a minor in History. Upon completion of college, she received a scholarship to Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia to study voice. In 1956, she met Ray, the love of her life, at an audition in Pittsburgh for the Light Opera Company and they made beautiful music together for 62 years. It was not unusual to have her Curtis friends, such as the Guarneri Quartet and Anna Moffo perform at her home when they visited Altoona. Mary Alice shared her talents widely as she taught voice, piano and music theory to many pupils in Altoona for several decades.

She was a member of Blair Civic Music and the Blair County Historical Society and volunteered for Meals on Wheels.

Mary Alice loved performing in the beautiful setting of the Baker Mansion with her family. A fan of Altoona Community Theatre, she delivered two show-stopping performances with ACT as Kate in “Kiss Me Kate” in 1963 and as Mother Abbess in “The Sound of Music” in 2009. Mary Alice and her husband Ray sang together for many recitals, fundraisers and benefits including recitals in Detroit, Beijing and Russia. The duo sang everything from opera to show tunes; thrilling audiences, friends and family with the combination of her beautiful soprano and his robust tenor.

With her deep devotion to the Catholic faith and to her late husband and their three daughters, Mary Alice lived a life full of books, music, laughter and love. She was adored by friends and family for her kind heart, quick wit, historical perspective and endless musical talent.

Friends will be received from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 11, 2021, at The Stevens Mortuary Inc., 1421 Eighth Ave., Altoona, where a vigil for the deceased will be held.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday, July 12, 2021, at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Altoona, with Monsignor Stanley Carson, celebrant. Committal will be at Calvary Cemetery, Altoona.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Mary Alice’s memory may be made to the Blair County Historical Society (Baker Mansion), 3419 Oak Lane, Altoona, PA 16602.

Condolences may be made at www.stevensfamilyfuneralhomes.com or Stevens Family Funeral Homes Facebook.