Mary Agnes Royal

One of our cherished souls, Mary Agnes (Gredecky) Royal, has returned to her heavenly home on May 3rd, 2021 after valiantly struggling with multiple ailments to include cancer. Mary was born to the late George and Mary Gredecky on December 24th, 1931 and raised in Johnstown, PA. where she was one of seven siblings. Shortly after graduating from High School, she moved to Washington DC and worked in various locations in and around the DC/Maryland area.

On September 21st, 1952 Mary Gredecky and Robert Lee Royal were wed at Sacred Heart in Washington, D.C. and moved to Germantown, MD where they built a house, and a family, and lived out the rest of their lives together. Mary will be remembered as being devoted to her family and her church. Mary has always been a wonderful giving and caring mother and wife. Raising 4 children to become strong and independent was her only focus for many years. When Bob became ill and partially handicapped, she stepped up and took the role as the “bread winner”. She always found time to take vacations to beaches and camping trips, family reunions and holiday gatherings, while juggling schedules, work, and supporting her children through college and beyond. She was an inspiration, a confidant, a mentor, and an extremely strong and independent woman!

Mary had a very strong faith and was extremely active in church, and more specifically within the Mother Seton parish. Mary was one of the founding parishioners of Mother Seton when services were held inside Father Hurley’s house on 118 in Germantown. She helped facilitate and participate and was instrumental in its growth where services moved to Germantown Elementary, then to Seneca Valley HS auditorium, and then to its current location complete with chapel, rectory, and gathering center. After retiring she continued to practice her faith and partake in numerous roles within the church to include serving as a Eucharistic minister, serving in the Mother Seton Sodality, participate in services and masses as a lector, sang in choir, played bells in bell choir, taught CCD, cleaning and maintain the church, and was very active in the Seniors Club.

Mary is survived by her sister Betty (Gredecky) Fielman; her daughters, Darla Royal, Cindy Brilli & Son in Law Richard Brilli, Bethany Shelton & Son in Law Ed Shelton; Her son Robert L. Royal & Daughter in Law Angelika (Klapputh) Royal; her grandchildren Anna Tompkins & Partner Troy Simms, Ken Tompkins & wife Lindsay (Wilson) Tompkins, Curt Tompkins, Lauren (Brilli) Skvarca & husband Andrew Skvarca, Richard Brilli, Phillip Brilli, Joseph Shelton, Joshua Shelton, Karen (Royal) Wiseman & Husband Justin Wiseman, Robert S. Royal and wife Natasha (Weber) Royal, Melissa (Royal) Sorce & husband Cole Sorce; and her GREAT Grandchildren Lucy Garcia, Sunny Tompkins, Evelyn “Evie” Skvarca, Saoirse Skvarca, Austin Skvarca, Samuel “Sammy” Wiseman, Amelia Wiseman, and Leighton “Leo” Source; along with numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband Robert L. Royal Sr., her sisters Marty (Gredecky) Brooks, Jo (Gredecky) Iwanski, Helen (Gredecky) Myers; her brothers John Gredecky, and Bernie Gredecky; her brother-in-law Walter Fielman.

A memorial service for Mary will be held on Friday May 14th at Mother Seton located at 19951 Father Hurley Blvd, Germantown, with Father Lee Fangmeyer officiating. The visitation will commence at 10 AM with a service to follow at 11 AM along with a reception at Mother Seton’s following the service. The family gratefully declines flowers and if you would like to donate, please contribute to any one of Mary’s favorite charities listed below:

Mother Seton Parish

Saint Vincent de Paul

American society for the prevention of cruelty to animals

Prayers, condolences, pictures, and memories are always gladly accepted!