Alice "Candy" Barr Loughney

Alice "Candy" Barr Loughney passed away on August 26, 2022 after an 8-year battle with Alzheimer's disease at the age of 72. She was a devoted and much-loved daughter, wife, mother, teacher, and “Super Nanny” to her grandchildren.

Candy was born in 1950 in Pittsburgh, PA to former Pittsburgh Mayor Joseph Barr and Alice White Barr. She was raised in Pittsburgh and Harrisburg before attending Marietta College in Ohio. After graduating, Candy returned to Pittsburgh and became the first female Lending Officer at Equibank, a job at which she excelled but gave up without regret to devote herself to her children, and later, to the many lucky children of Pittsburgh who had her as a teacher.

Candy married her husband of 48 years, Patrick Joseph Loughney, in 1974. Together, they raised two daughters, Katy and Molly, and two sons, J.B. and Roger. Candy was a fierce protector of her flock—which included not only her own kids, but also the exchange students who lived with the family over the years and the roving packs of neighborhood kids who gathered at the house and filled it with noise and laughter.

Candy was an international mother to many, including Katharina Vallendar and Mick Priest—who dubbed our house an “international youth hostel”—and Stefan Wöll, Albert Vallendar, and Georg Vallendar, three German children who lived with us and attended Central Catholic. These boys were children of families with whom Roger and Molly lived when they attended 8th grade in Germany. We all have remained very close ever since. 

Katy remembers one of the best things about growing up in the household was that when she woke up, she never knew how many people would be there or how many languages would be spoken.

As the kids grew up, Candy returned to school and completed her master’s degree in education at Carlow University. Candy touched many lives as an upper elementary school teacher at Carlow Campus School, where she was famous for her collection of teddy bears, enthusiastic-if-imperfect art skills, and amazing ability to teach children how to write. Rarely a month would go by without running into a former student or parent, who would tell her she was their favorite teacher.

Candy retired in 2011 to move to Nashville for over a year to help care for her twin grandsons.  The joy and liveliness she brought to her role as grandma impressed even those of us who were used to her vim and vigor. As her husband Pat always says: “You could have hired two 20-year-old, full-time nannies, and they still would not have had half of the energy of Candy.”

Candy loved theater, loved to dance, and loved a good party. She will be remembered for her boundless energy, her cheerful spirit, her selfless devotion to her children and grandchildren, and her rain-or-shine 5K walks through Edgewood, the community that she called home for four decades.

She is survived by her many loving friends and family, including her husband Patrick, who rarely left her side during her years with Alzheimer’s, daughters Katy Loughney and Molly (and Niels) Melius, sons J.B. (and Becky) Loughney and Roger (and Jess) Loughney, brother Skipp Barr, seven grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and many beloved cousins.

The family wishes to thank all of her many friends who offered much support through the progression of Candy’s Alzheimer’s disease, especially Libby Schmidt, who, in the last phase of the decline, offered solid advice, and Joe and Claudette Gray, who with their watchful eyes, allowed Pat and Candy to take many trips with them safely in her post-diagnosis years.

We are profoundly grateful to the Brain Training and Exercise (BRiTE) Wellness Program and staff, for the three years Candy was a member. It surely delayed the depth and severity of the inevitable decline by at least a year or two.

We would also like to thank Arden Courts and their loving, caring staff for Candy's memory care over the last two years, and Hospice for their palliative care over the final three weeks.

Candy was committed to helping find a treatment and cure for Alzheimer’s disease. To that end, she participated in many study programs and clinical trials and donated her brain to Alzheimer’s disease research. 

Friends will be received at JOHN A. FREYVOGEL SONS, INC., 4900 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, on Wednesday, September 7 from 6:00-8:00pm and on Thursday, September 8 from 2:00-4:00pm and 6:00-8:00pm. (freyvogelfuneralhome.com)

The funeral will be on Friday, September 9 at 10:00am, Mass of Christian Burial, Saint Paul Cathedral, 108 North Dithridge Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15123, with interment at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Penn Avenue.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the BRiTE Wellness Program, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization developed by a team of clinicians and scientists at the University of Pittsburgh. BRiTE runs a program with activities to stimulate the brain and body of those with cognitive impairment with the goal of improving overall health and wellness.

Memorial gifts and donations can be sent to:

Brite Wellness, Inc.
P.O. Box 38214
1310 Old Freeport Road
Pittsburgh PA. 15238

Donations to BRiTE may also be sent online via PayPal using this link: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=6N8E5U7GEGEUE.

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