Mary C. Collingwood, 90, died the morning of November 29, 2011 at VNA Hospice Center in Butler, Pa.Born July 19, 1921 in New Castle, she was a daughter of Alexander and Beulah Johnston Choco (Cioca).She graduated from New Castle High School and graduated with honors from Central Bible College, Springfield, MO, where she also served as the personal secretary for the Dean of the School. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Education from Youngstown State University and Master's Degree as a Reading Specialist from Westminster College. Mary was the Charter Member and first adult Sunday School Teacher of Gardner Chapel Church of New Castle. The Church was legally chartered by her brother, Alexander Choco, the church's first pastor. Prior to its establishment as a church, afternoon Sunday School classes had been held and discontinued by the Bender family. It was at that time, Alexander Choco obtained the title for the building and wrote the deed to legally charter Gardner Chapel as a church.Mary was an elementary school teacher at the Croton Elementary School for 22 years. After retirement she was a member of the PA Retired Teacher's Association, Lawrence County School Retirees, and served as a representative and spokeswoman for the local teachers union. She was a former member of the Order of Eastern Star and volunteered for the Jameson Guild. She had a passion for gardening and reading.She is survived by daughter and son-in-law Carolyn and Jonathon Burelbach with grandson Wade Burelbach of Myersville, Maryland; son Dr. John Collingwood with grandson Curt Collingwood of Albuquerque, New Mexico; daughter Patricia Collingwood with grandsons Andrew and Kent Bare of Westminster, Maryland. Four brothers, Alexander (Becky) Choco of Florida, Nick Choco of California, John (Ronalyn) Choco of Washington, and Emmanuel (Helen) Choco of New Castle; two sisters, Mildred (Jack) Shaw of New Castle, and Glory (Don) Adams of Tennessee.In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Harlan Clair Collingwood; daughter Linda Marie Collingwood, and two sisters, Elizabeth Kray and Helen Lee.Visitation will be held on Friday, Dec. 2, 2011, from 6:00 - 8:00 PM at the R. Cunningham Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 2429 Wilmington Road.A funeral service will be held on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011, at 11:00 am at the funeral home.