Sponsored Sponsored content Mary Frances Schurtz-Leon, 74, of Hellertown (Obituary Brought to You by Heintzelman Funeral Home)

Mary Frances Schurtz-Leon (1952 – 2026)

Mary Frances Schurtz-Leon, 74, of Hellertown, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at Saucon Valley Manor. She was the beloved wife of the late Alexander Leon, who died in April 2025. Born in New York City on March 3, 1952, Mary Frances was the daughter of the late Henry and Genevieve Schurtz. Compassionate and intelligent, Mary Frances dedicated her time and talents to uplifting the values she wished to see in the world and advocating on behalf of others until the very end of her life. Mary Frances met her husband while volunteering with VISTA and before beginning her professional career as a criminal defense and immigration attorney in New York and California. She then moved to Saudi Arabia where she worked in hospital administration while raising her young family. Upon returning stateside, Mary Frances began a 25-year career as educator, candidate manager and guide to international students under Lehigh University’s Iacocca Institute. Neither illness nor any other limitation prevented Mary Frances from celebrating all the blessings in her life. She talked, sang, prayed and laughed loudly. She loved her family fiercely, yet was grateful for every new friend and any opportunity to make a stranger feel welcome.

SURVIVORS

She is survived by her offspring Alexis Leon and Rebecca Leon; siblings: Joseph Schurtz and his wife, Karen, of Fanwood, N.J., James Schurtz and his wife, Amy, of New Jersey, Henry Schurtz and his wife, Margaret, of Raleigh, N.C., Michael Schurtz and his wife, Lori, of Clark, N.J.; and many more beloved family and friends near and afar. Mary Frances was predeceased by her brother Thomas Schurtz and sister-friend Kathleen Cuppi.

SERVICES

In accordance with her wishes, a Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, May 29, 2026, at 11 a.m. in the Church of St. Theresa of the Child Jesus, 1408 Easton Road, Hellertown. Mass will either be livestreamed or recorded for those unable to attend in person; please contact the family for the link. Following the Mass, the family will receive friends for a funeral repast at the Carriage House at Heintzelmans, 326 Main St., Hellertown. Interment of the cremated remains will take place in New Jersey at the convenience of the family. To share an expression of sympathy with the family, please visit Heintzelmancares.com. Arrangements are under the care of the Heintzelman Funeral Home Inc., Hellertown.

CONTRIBUTIONS

In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to celebrate Mary Frances’s life with memories, song, dance, hugs, prayer, community service or a donation to Catholic Charities USA or United Way.