Ann Hurey is a mom, wife and teacher who has mentored students in the Gateway School District for over 30 years.

Her students describe her as bright, compassionate and understanding. Her liveliness, warm smile and vibrant green eyes brighten the days of students in her English classes and her co-workers.

“She’s just a wonderful person and I'm proud to consider her a friend as well as a colleague,” said Dawn Nicolazzo, a librarian at Gateway High School.

But what many might miss behind her smile is the strength of having twice survived breast cancer.

In 2008, Hurey took part in the Susan G. Komen Race for a Cure in Oakland on Mother’s Day in support of her mother, Rita, who had been diagnosed with breast cancer earlier that year.

“Six months before I was diagnosed, my mom was diagnosed,” she said.

“It was scary — my kids were young. My son was in second grade and my daughter was in fifth grade.”

She had lingering thoughts throughout her battle. She was worried for her family and nagged by questions: “Will I be around for my kids growing up?” “Will I see my daughter get married?”

Hurey and her mother endured the same health battle. She is thankful both are in remission.

“It makes you appreciate life,” she said.

Hurey, 56, grew up in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., moved to the Pittsburgh area in 1991 and became a substitute teacher at Gateway High School. After a couple years, she moved to Gateway Middle School.

She returned to the high school in 2008, the year she was first diagnosed with cancer. 

Hurey (pronounced YOUR-ee) put off getting surgery and waited until Thanksgiving break to get a bilateral mastectomy so she could recover and be back to teach her students on time.

“A lot of the time as an educator you worry about your students more than yourself. … You want to be there for your students,” she said. “You just always have to remain positive. I felt very lucky that I was diagnosed early.”

Her students say she has always put others before herself.

Davon Allensworth, a former student who is now a software engineer at UPMC, remembered Hurey encouraging him to strive for excellence in his writing assignments in her class.

“Mrs. Hurey always used to ask us questions [about how the students were doing],” he said.

Hurey’s second battle with breast cancer began in 2014.

Each year, 240,000 women are diagnosed with the disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Breast cancer remains the second most common cancer among women in the United States. 

She described having burning sensations and painful blisters as a result of radiation. Yet she maintained a positive attitude, making it a point to thank the nurses who were patient, kind and compassionate in her care. She went into remission for a second time after 36 rounds of radiation.

Hurey lives with her husband, Jon, in Murrysville. Her daughter Kay, 25, is a mental health specialist. Her son, Lex, 23, is in college and plans to become a math teacher.

Hurey’s former students (including this writer) know she has been a longtime advocate for breast cancer awareness. In class, she talked about her participation in Susan G. Komen walks and runs and her students sometimes joined her at the events. This year’s Pittsburgh More Than Pink Walk is scheduled for May 19 in Oakland.

“She was really involved around that,” Allensworth said. “It just showed how much dedication she had to not only teach but also pursue and embrace things that were important to her. That’s really inspiring.”

Hurey has been cancer-free for 10 years. Her strength and kindness continue to set an example for the students that pass through her classroom doors at Gateway High School. Every day, she teaches a lesson that tough battles can be won.

First Published: May 9, 2024, 9:30 a.m.
Updated: May 10, 2024, 3:20 p.m.