Mary Jo McVay

Mary Jo McVay, 76, of Peru, passed away on Tuesday, April 7, 2020.

She was born in San Antonio, Texas on November 21, 1943 to Joe Willingham and Verna C. (Wilkie) (Willingham) Amburgy.  Joe passed away shortly after Mary Jo was born, and her mother subsequently remarried Willard C. Amburgy.  Mary Jo graduated from Peru High School in 1962, Manchester College in 1966, Ohio University in 1967, and did her Doctoral work at the University of Pittsburgh in 1968 (ABD). She taught public speaking and English at Northern Illinois University, University of Iowa, Manchester College, Indiana University, Kokomo and PHS, where she was also the Speech Team coach. While a high school student, she won a state speech contest and represented PHS in the National Speech Competition.  Mary Jo was a member of the NFL (National Forensics League), as well as the Indiana State Teachers Association.

She is survived by a brother Mike (Wanda) Amburgy of Louisville, KY; a nephew Michael Amburgy of Peru, and his mom Patricia Amburgy of Louisville, KY; and a cousin Barbara Goss of Ardmore, OK.

A private graveside service will be held at Mount Hope Cemetery in Peru.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.FlowersLeedyAllen.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary Jo McVay, please visit our floral store.