Mary Elizabeth Gonet

Mary E. Gonet passed away peacefully on September 13, 2023 at the Harmony Retirement Home in Herndon, Virginia. Mary was born on July 7, 1929, to Edward H. Cole and Amelia S. Cole in Wexford, Pennsylvania. She attended Mars High School where she was chosen by the faculty as the most outstanding girl in her class and Grove City College where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Finance and Accounting. She was a member of The Scroll and Honor Society and was selected who’s who in American Universities and Colleges. She was also awarded The Wall Street Journal Medal given to the graduate who is likely to succeed in the business world. Mary married her college sweetheart “Eddie” in 1950 and they lived in Ambridge, Pennsylvania where Mary worked for the Pennsylvania Turnpike as an accountant.
In 1960 they moved to Vienna, Virginia where they raised three children and Mary was an active volunteer in the community, youth organization, and OLGC Catholic Church. She held the roles of President of the OLGC Ladies Auxiliary as well as President of the Vienna Little League Ladies Auxiliary and was selected into the Vienna Little League Hall of Fame. She was also a member of the Vienna Welcome Wagon Club and was a very successful Avon Lady in the late 1960’s. Everyone in the Town of Vienna knew Mary Gonet.
In 1970 Mary decided her kids were old enough that she could go back to work full time. From 1970 – 1988 Mary held financial positions at Alan M Voorhees and Associates and was the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of PRC – Planning Research Cooperation. From 1988 – 2015 Mary was Vice President of Summitt Enterprises, Inc., an investment firm run by her former boss, mentor and friend Mr. Alan M. Voorhees. Mary served on boards of Autometrics, Inc. of Virginia, Ideas, Inc. of Virginia, Technology Integration of Massachusetts, and Envisions of San Diego, California.
Mary had a full and special life from the time she was brought up on a farm in Western Pennsylvania, to when she and Eddie moved to suburban Northern Virginia where they raised their three children, and she led the charge to “step up” and volunteer for the community and the tremendous respect she earned and received as a woman in the business world. Nothing though, was more important to her than her family, where she set the standards for care, concern, work ethic, and morals. She continually organized family outings and trips that left all with memories for a lifetime. Mary never missed an opportunity to support her children and grandchildren in the activities they loved whether at school or on any sports field.
Mary’s father, mother, and husband Edward, as well as her brother, Chuck Cole and sisters, Jeanne McCormick and Shirley Wilson (and husband Tom), all preceded her in death. Mary loved her family and friends and is survived by her daughter, Kathy G. Heins and husband Maynard of Sterling, Virginia, by her son Gary E. Gonet and wife Karen of Oak Hill, Virginia, and by her son Ned Gonet and wife Becky of Raleigh, NC, as well as seven adoring grandchildren, Jennifer H. Remen and husband Matt, Katie R. Brylski and husband Steve, Meghan A. Hedblom and husband Chris, David E. Gonet and wife Julie, Amanda L. Pruden and husband Chris, Cole K. Gonet and wife Sara, and Connor E. Gonet and by twelve precious great-grandchildren, Clayton Remen, McKenna Remen, Landon Brylski, Caleb Brylski, Lucas Hedblom, Anderson Gonet, Eva Gonet, Molly Brylski, Emma Hedblom, Rachel Brylski, Henry Gonet, and Tyler Brylski. She is also survived by one sister-in-law, Molly Cole as well as many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, co-workers and friends.
Relatives and friends are invited to Mary E. Gonet’s life celebration at Money and King Funeral Home, 171 W. Maple Ave., Vienna, VA on Monday, September 25th from 2-4 and 6-8 PM. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of Good Counsel, 8601 Wolftrap Road, SE, Vienna VA on Tuesday, September 26th at 11:00 AM. For those unable to attend in person a live stream link will be posted here prior to the funeral. Interment will follow at Fairfax Memorial Park with a reception to follow at 9579 Braddock Rd. in Fairfax.
Those who wish to express sympathy via a donation, the family requests donating to the Alzheimer Foundation at www.alzfdn.org.