RESTON, VA - Mary Theresa (Mahoney) Erard, 89, died peacefully at her home in Reston, Virginia on Friday, November 15, 2019. Forged by the Great Depression, Mary had a will of iron and a heart of gold. She was the apple of her father’s eye and she was blessed with a large, supportive, loving, and colorful extended family. Mary had a passion for learning from an early age and was an outstanding student. A native of Springfield, Massachusetts, she went on to become the Valedictorian of both her Sacred Heart High (1948) and Our Lady of the Elms (1952) classes before completing her Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology at American International College. Mary was also a keen student of people. She loved to interact with individuals of all kinds and she made many good friends throughout her life. She was known for her quick wit, her no-nonsense advice and her indomitable will. Although small in stature, Mary was a fierce defender of both her ideals and her loved ones. Outspoken and imbued with an Irish temper, Mary was more than a match for even the most formidable instigator. Throughout her life, she preferred noise over quiet, company over solitude and commotion over calm. Mary always had a soft spot for mischief makers and other non-conformers. Like her mother before her, she was a devout Catholic and generous to a fault. Given her love of academics and social interaction, a career in teaching was a natural path for Mary. She taught Algebra, English and Latin as well as many life lessons at Classical High School and other Springfield institutions for many years before moving to Virginia in 1969. There, she continued to teach at the high school level until 1977 when she found a new calling as a Human Relations Specialist for the Fairfax County Public School system. A natural problem solver, Mary set her talents on defusing many of the most vexing interpersonal conflicts within the school system over the next 20 years. Mary is survived by her sons and their wives, Mark, Brian (Aileen), Steven (Heather); her daughter-in-law, Barbara; her grandchildren, Matt, Nick, Grace, Gavin, Colleen, Alexa and Caleb; as well as many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. She was preceded in death by her two husbands, H. Robert “Bob” Erard and Richard “Dick” Zwicker; her son, Robert “Bob” Erard; her brother, Edward “Eddie” Mahoney; her sister, Kathleen “Kay” Holiday; and her parents, Edward and Virginia (Shannon) Mahoney. A viewing for Mary will be held on Thursday, November 21, 2019 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Money and King Funeral Home, 171 Maple Avenue, West, Vienna, Virginia. Mary’s family would like to thank the staff of Home Helpers for their wonderful care of Mary and support to our family. Mary’s funeral will be held on Monday, November 25, 2019 beginning at 10 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial at Sacred Heart Church, 395 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA 01104, (Please meet directly at the church). Her burial will follow the Mass at Saint Michael Cemetery, 1601 State Street, Springfield, MA 01109. There are no visiting hours in Springfield and the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, (413-737-1177), 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107 have been entrusted with local arrangements. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com