Marian C. Tate

Marian C. Tate (Heidenreich), age 69 went to her eternal rest on Friday, June 30, 2023. Resident of the South Hills area, Pittsburgh all her life.

Preceded in death by her son Andrew Scott Tate, her parents, Vincent and Aniceta Heidenreich, her brothers, Deacon Vincent and John, her sisters, Eileen Withey Smith and Anita Heidenreich. She will be greatly missed by her other siblings who survive, Patricia Sikes, Philip Heidenreich, Richard (Angela) Heidenreich, Mary Jean Hartman, Lawrence (Sue) Heidenreich, Dennis (Denise) Heidenreich, and numerous nieces and nephews, and friends.

Marian graduated from Duquesne University, with her BSN in Nursing, and joined Mercy Hospital of Pittsburgh in 1977. Marian worked in the Quality Department as a Quality Nurse Specialist. Her life‘s work was dedicated to UPMC Mercy, serving her colleagues and patients alike. As a clinical nurse on the floor, Marian started her nursing career on the MedSurg unit then moved to the neonatal ICU, or as she called it the “premie unit.”

She is fondly remembered by her colleagues as providing excellent and meticulous care to the smallest of patients right down to the smallest of details. She was described as supportive and always a team player, a team leader, a mentor, and a coach. Marian was recognized as a quiet strength, gentle coach, attentive to process, and compassionate to everyone.

In the 1990s, when quality improvement was first becoming a science, Marian forged the way, and became the first person to ever do the formal work of “quality” and become the Nursing Quality Assurance/Risk Management coordinator. Over 20 years later Marian was seen as someone who represents quality and safety at the highest level of patient care if there was data to be collected or charts to review Marian was the one to get the job done.

Marian’s faith in God and respect for human life at all moments was most important to her. She was active in the No One Dies Alone Program and came to Mercy on many night shifts in early mornings to sit with a dying patient. Marian was also involved in the Mission and Ethics council at Mercy, to be sure that we are grounded in Faith in Catholic principles.

Even in her time at home, Marian‘s heart was one of service to others. She was found caring for her aunt Mary, or holding her newborn, great nieces or nephews. To recharge, Marian could have easily been lost in a newfound book and vacations were always around the summer or winter Olympic games. You could always count on Marian to know when you might need a hug or an encouraging word.

A gathering of family and friends will be held on Thursday, July 6, 2023 from 5-8 pm at Pittsburgh Cremation & Funeral Care, 3287 Washington Rd., McMurray, PA 15317, 724-260-5546. A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, July 7, 2023 at St. Anne Church, Castle Shannon at 9:30 am. Everyone please meet at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Paul of the Cross Parish- St. Anne Church