Jean Rooney was a planner until the end.

An avid crocheter and devoted grandmother, she had a ritual of making a baby blanket for each new child in the family. Before her death, she crocheted an extra blanket for when the next grandchild or great-grandchild comes along.

"She just had it waiting," said her daughter, Susan Elko of Succasanna, N.J.

Mrs. Rooney, a Murrysville resident and longtime math teacher at Gateway High School, died Sunday. She was 81.

After she retired from teaching, Mrs. Rooney was an enthusiastic and outgoing social organizer, serving as an officer for the Scottish clan of Irwin, an organizer of an annual family reunion and a member of two bridge clubs and the Murrysville Women's Club, her daughter said.

"She had a lot of friends and different interests," said Mrs. Elko. "She liked to get involved in things."

She was also an active gardener and world traveler, even living in Spain for a year during the 1970s, her daughter said.

Mrs. Rooney also is survived by her husband, Edward Rooney of Murrysville; a brother, Alvin Irwin of Erie; two other daughters, Marlyn Donelson of Butler and Donna Kapner of Houston, Texas; a son, Robert Longwell of Mechanicsburg; eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

The family will receive visitors from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday at Hart Funeral Home in Murrysville, with a funeral service to follow.

Memorials may be sent to the American Cancer Society or Beulah Presbyterian Church.