Mary Lee Klimko

Mary Lee (Maletic) Klimko passed away peacefully surrounded by family in Saint Claire Hospital in Pittsburgh on February 18, 2026. Born on November 18, 1939 to the late Joseph and Mary (Yardis) Maletic. She attended St. Benedict High School in West View and Duquesne University. She liked to roller skate at Neville Island and go to Danceland at West View Park. She had early jobs as a telephone operator, and as a waitress at B&G’s restaurant in downtown Pittsburgh, where she met her husband Elmer. They married in 1961 and moved to Monroeville, PA, where they started a family. Mary Lee was a teacher at St. Bernadette’s school there. Teaching would be a strong theme in her life, even after she stopped teaching at the school. She was a Cub Scout den mother and later became a docent and teacher at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History for 30 years. She was a faithful member of Saint Cyril Catholic Church, often walking to church from home and supporting her children in attending Catholic school. She and Elmer made tremendous sacrifices to make that happen and to support their family. Mary Lee went back to school for nursing and worked as a nurse’s aid doing difficult work. She was a tremendously selfless person, always looking out for how others were doing. She took care of her Mom, and with her daughters, made tremendous efforts to care for Elmer at home in his late life. Even during her short time in the hospital during her final days, she was always concerned about the staff getting their breaks and rest instead of focusing on herself. She was a positive and giving presence in any setting that she was in. She expressed her love in the encouragement, healing and counseling that she gave her children, and her constant hard work in keeping a clean house and cooking meals. She accommodated and supported the creative pursuits and hobbies of her children, allowing them room to blossom. Mary Lee was a deeply good person, who made a tremendous impact in her long life, and will continue to live on through her children and others that she touched.

Mary Lee was the wife of her beloved late husband Elmer for 56 years, the beloved mother of Stephen (Jill Mitchell) Klimko, Barbara (Raymond) Charley and Leslie Klimko. Survived by many nieces and nephews. Also survived by her beloved fur grandchildren, Ranger, Jolene, Laci, Tee Lee, Earl Grey, Leah, Midnight, and CP; but welcomed on the Rainbow Bridge by the late Cassidy, Jeremiah, Dakota, Ralphie Roo, Bentley, Bitsy, Coal Porter, and Carley. She lived an amazing life of love and kindness and knew that her family and friends loved her very much. Also preceded in death by her brothers EDWARD (Mary) MALETIC, and the late Joseph and Carl (Dolores) Maletic.

The funeral Mass for Mary Lee will be at 10 AM on Friday, February 20th at St. Cyril of Alexandria Church - Christ Our Savior Parish, 3854 Brighton Rd., Pittsburgh, PA 15212. There will a viewing on that same day from 8 - 9:30 AM, at Thomas P. Kunsak Funeral Home, Inc. 3552 California Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15212. Burial will be at Christ Our Redeemer ( Formerly  Northside Catholic ) Cemetery, 204 Cemetery Ln., Pittsburgh, PA 15237.