Mary Ann (Smith) Kutlenios

Formerly of Forest Hills and Greensburg, age 96, passed away on Saturday February 28, 2026 at Liza’s Place Hospice in Wheeling, WV.  She was born on November 1, 1929 in Ambridge, PA to the late Leo and Josephine (Kriley) Smith.

Mary Ann was blessed with two wonderful husbands, who preceded her in death, Manuel J. “Manny” Kutlenios to whom she was married for 23 years and James Scholze, her husband of seven years.  She was the loving mother of John (Rose) Kutlenios, Catherine (Tom) Macaluso, Michael (Pamela) Kutlenios, Stephen (Gaye) Kutlenios, Jean (Ron) Clair, and David (Kimberly) Kutlenios.

When she married James Scholze late in life, they together blended their families and she became the loving step-mother to Michael (Vivian) Scholze, Susan (Joe) Marotta, Fred (Marci) Scholze, Judy Winslow (Joe Martin), late Rev. Rebecca West (surviving spouse,Rev. James West).

Mary Ann played an important role in the lives of her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was the last survivor of 6 children and is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Mary Ann was a life-long Catholic and deeply spiritual.  She loved music and even met Manny while playing the piano. She taught piano lessons for over 25 years and even played piano for religious services at the Beacon House in St. Clairsville, OH, where she lived for the last eight years. In addition, she sang in church choirs and the former St. Maurice Folk Group, volunteered for the St. Vincent DePaul Society in Greensburg, and served as a volunteer usher with the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.

As a mother for over 77 years, she shared with her children love, wisdom, and an optimistic view of life but also modeled what resilience looks like after losing her first husband when she was 42 and becoming a single mother and raising her children alone.  She subsequently worked at Giant Eagle and retired as the office manager for Garrity Hughes in Pittsburgh. 

She was ever welcoming, loved people, and will be deeply missed by her family who will be forever grateful for the blessings she gave them. The family is thankful for the caring staff at the Beacon House and at Liza’s Place.

All are welcome on Tuesday from 3-7pm at Patrick T. Lanigan Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., 700 Linden Ave. at Cable, East Pittsburgh, PA 15112, (412) 824-8800.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held in St. Maurice Church (St. Joseph the Worker Parish), Forest Hills, on Wednesday at 10 a.m.

Mary Ann will be laid to rest privately in Braddock Catholic Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Vincent DePaul Society, 551 Hyde Park Rd., Leechburg, PA 15656 or www.svdpgreensburg.org