Audrey B. (Barr) McCullough

Audrey Barr McCullough, 89, passed peacefully Thursday morning, January 18, 2024, at her residence on McCullough Road, Jefferson Township after a brief illness.

Audrey was born Monday, August 27, 1934, in Clarendon, PA, to Myrle Albert Barr and Bertha Pearl Patterson Barr.  The youngest of eight children, with three brothers and four sisters, she enjoyed growing up in Warren County, PA in a large family with many nieces and nephews as peers.  This forged her lifelong commitment to maintaining strong family bonds.  

Audrey was a 1952 graduate of Warren High School, Warren, PA.  After graduation she went to work for The New Process Company and then The Bell Telephone Company of Pennsylvania, first at the Warren office and then transferred to the Mercer office after marrying and moving to Mercer County.  She cherished her time as a Bell Operator, forging lasting friendships with co-workers and attending the annual Christmas Party for decades.

In the fall of 1952, Audrey met her future husband, James McCullough.  They became engaged at Christmas 1954 and were married September 3, 1955, in Clarendon, PA.  They honeymooned in Niagara Falls before enjoying the next 68 years together until his passing on May 20, 2023.  Together, they created a loving home, while working hard raising four daughters and a son, and making many wonderful memories.  Through their dedication to each other and their family, Jim and Audrey created a legacy for their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Having moved from a small town to rural Pennsylvania, she quickly adapted to life as a farmer’s wife, embracing the community and her new family.  The support given to her husband, an active farmer for over 60 years, was never unnoticed.  Whether warming dinner for his late arrival home or delivering sandwiches to the field, her dedication was unwavering.

In the early years of her marriage, Audrey was a stay-at-home mother.  After her children were in school, she began a 25-year career in the Mercer School District cafeterias, retiring in 1996 as Head Cook at Mercer High School.  She enjoyed monthly lunches with the retired cafeteria ladies for over 20 years.

Audrey was a member of Community of Christ Church, Transfer.  She was civically engaged and dedicated to her community.  As a young mother, Audrey was a Girl Scout Troop Leader, belonged to the Jefferson Township Homemakers, and a neighborhood ladies card club for many years.

She held elective office as a Jefferson Township Auditor from 1968 to 1978.  She was a charter member of the Jefferson Township Civic League and Jefferson Township Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary.  She was a dedicated volunteer with the Jefferson Township Fair for over 35 years and served as a Fair Board officer. Audrey served for many years as a Mercer County Jefferson Township Republican Precinct Committeewoman as well as an Election Poll Worker.

You knew that you were well liked or appreciated by Audrey when you received one of her renowned baking gifts like an apple crisp, a pie, or cookies. Her friends and family looked forward to her annual Christmas fruit cake, caramel corn, and Chex mix.  She passed her passion for baking and cooking on to her children and grandchildren by baking with them as recently as this past Christmas.

Audrey is survived by her five children, Deborah Black (Neil), Susan Bertocchi, Lynda Aiken (Larry), James McCullough Jr (William Mickler), and Lisa Holmes (Michael).  Additionally, she is survived by five grandchildren, Adam Bertocchi, Melissa Rawson, Lauren Holmes, Alex Holmes, Megan Holmes, and four great-granddaughters, Aubrey Bertocchi, Emry Rawson, McKenna Rawson, and Hadley Rawson.  In addition to her husband, James, she was preceded in death by her parents, a grandson, Michael Bertocchi Jr, a son-in-law, Michael Bertocchi Sr, three brothers, Harry, William, and Lawrence Barr, and four sisters, Geraldine Brian, Myrtle Newark, Valjean Slack, and Lorraine Dennis.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to Helping Hands Hospice of Hermitage for their kind care and support.  If you wish, a donation in Audrey’s honor can be made to the Jefferson Township Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 52, Mercer, PA 16137.

Friends may call Friday January 26th, 2024 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm in the SHERMAN Funeral Home & Crematory 2201 Highland Rd. Hermitage, PA 16148.

Funeral services will be held Saturday January 27th, 2024 at 11:00 am in the SHERMAN Funeral Home with Pastor Jean Schultz officiating.

Burial will take place in Mt. Washington Cemetery.

Arrangements entrusted to the SHERMAN Funeral Home & Crematory Hermitage, PA.

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