Mary Lee Rothwell Corr

Mary Lee Rothwell Corr, of Doylestown, PA, passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her four children on December 12, 2024. 

Mary Lee shared 52 years of marriage with her late husband Martin J. “Mert” Corr, a partnership marked with laughter and creativity. Their faith was inspiring and their generosity limitless. Their doors in Doylestown and “The White House” in Sea Isle City were opened to everyone. 

Born on March 3, 1938, in Philadelphia, she was the beloved daughter of the late William Alyosius and Marguerite Lee Rothwell. 

Mary Lee grew up in West Oak Lane with her parents and five brothers, Bill, Bob, Dick, Jack, Dave, honorary sibling, Brother Bill Quaintance, and a large extended family, often found singing around a piano. 

Mary Lee attended St. Athanasius Catholic School and graduated as valedictorian from Little Flower High School in 1955. She started her teaching career at age 17 while earning her degree in English and Education from Chestnut Hill College. 

Mary Lee was an active member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (OLMC) Parish, where she taught at the grade school, sang with the guitar group “The Second Collection,” and volunteered as a Eucharistic Minister, liturgical reader, and with the Ladies of Mount Carmel. She started the children’s show at OLMC grade school which continues to bring the arts to young performers. Mary Lee's time and talents left an indelible mark on her community. 

Mary Lee’s warmth, humor, and unshakeable spirit shone through in everything she did. She was a founding member and director for many years of the parish theater group, the State Street Players. It was truly her life’s work to “Make Someone Happy,” a sentiment she embodied through her unforgettable skits, songs, and grand finales—all delivered with her signature Mary Lee pizazz. She also found enjoyment in quiet moments as an avid reader, enjoying her time with her Book Club and hours in the library.

Mary Lee’s devotion to her family was unmatched. She was the loving mother of Sean Corr (Jennifer), Marguerite Quinn (John), Molly Duet (Keith), and Elizabeth Ann Corr (Keith DeStefano). Her legacy lives on in her grandchildren: Liz, Pat, Chris, Maggie (Mark McDonald), Carolyn, Maeve, Lucy, Martin, Mary, Will, Ayla, Ronan, Brendan, and her great-grandchild, Linley. Mary Lee’s role as “Nana,” “Nanny” and “Grand Mare” was one she held closest to her heart.

In addition to her children and grandchildren, Mary Lee is survived by her brother Jack, cousin Franny Shields, and sisters-in-law Wendy Rothwell, Grace Corr Haenn, Ann Corr Potterton, Jeanne Corr O’Neill, Janet Corr, and Kristina Corr. 

Mary Lee’s family would like to extend their gratitude to her friends and caregivers who provided love, prayers and support in her final weeks.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, December 19 at the Reed and Steinbach Funeral Home in Doylestown, and on Friday, December 20 from 1 to 1:45 p.m., at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Doylestown with her funeral Mass at 2 p.m.. Interment will be held at Doylestown Cemetery. Put on your ‘sparkle’ and join us!

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mary Lee’s memory to the St. Vincent de Paul Society or The National Fragile X Foundation.

The Mass will be live-streamed and may be viewed using the following link:

Live Stream for Mass