Mary Constance Callahan Hornickel
Mary Constance “Connie” Callahan Hornickel, 94, of Washington, died Saturday, May 13, 2023, in Genesis HealthCare, Bridgeville, after many calls and visits from family and friends.
She was born May 28, 1928, in Delaware, Ohio, a daughter of Mary Sowash Maxwell Callahan and Dr. Frank Howard Callahan.
She attended elementary schools in Cleveland and Akron, Ohio. Moving with the family to New York City, she attended Horace Mann School for Girls, part of Teachers College, and graduated from Northfield Mount Hermon in Gill, Mass. in 1946. She received a BA in 1950 from Allegheny College in Meadville, where she was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority and active in student government, religious activities, and choral music.
Connie received a Master’s in Nursing from Yale University of Nursing in 1953, specializing in Pediatric Nursing. For several years, she worked in hospitals in Denver, Colo.; New York City, N.Y.; Cleveland, Ohio; Wheeling, W.Va.; and Waynesburg University in Waynesburg.
On June 24, 1961, in Delaware, Ohio, she married Robert Marshall “Skip” Hornickel, proprietor of Colonial Pharmacy in Canonsburg.
For almost 25 years, they lived in Scenery Hill, while raising their two children and rehabbing an old Tavern on Route 40, the Old National Pike. They then moved to Amwell Township and later Washington.
Connie was a very active member of the Church of the Covenant, serving on the Board of Deacons, a ruling elder and clerk of sessions. She greatly valued the mission work of Presbyterian women and spent many hours serving meals and planning programs for the 55 Plus group.
She was a lifelong lover of music, attending Pittsburgh Symphony Choral and River City Brass Band concerts, sports and musical events involving her grandchildren. Connie was a charter member of her neighborhood book club and enjoyed playing Bridge, doing crossword puzzles, and reading.
She was known and appreciated by family and friends for her quick sarcastic wit, happy demeanor, and immediate willingness to help a friend on a moment’s notice.
On Thanksgiving Day, 2022, Connie was thrilled to hold her first great- granddaughter, Estelle Jordan Sutton, born July 30, 2022.
Surviving are her two children: daughter, Helen Elizabeth Taras (John) of Durham, N.C., and son, Dr. Howard Hornickel (Kristan) of Washington. Connie has five loving grandchildren, Jordan Taras Sutton (Rob) of Swampscott, Mass.; Cate Taras Nuccio (Tim) of Beverly, Mass.; and Kyle, Alexis and Ryan Hornickel of Washington. Surviving is her brother, Howard Callahan of Santa Rosa, Calif. Several beloved nieces, nephews and cousins also survive along with dozens of valued friends.
Connie was predeceased by the love of her life, husband Skip Hornickel, who died February 23, 2013; and wonderful sister, Elizabeth Maxwell Bunn, who passed July 12, 2014.
Arrangements are entrusted to the William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington, where visiting hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, May 20. A public memorial service will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. Sunday, May 21, in the Church of the Covenant.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Allegheny College, 520 N. Main Street, Meadville, PA 16335; or the Church of the Covenant, 267 E. Beau Street, Washington, PA 15301.
Condolences may be expressed at www.nealfuneralhome.com.