Mary Caputo was born on November 18, 1918, in New York City, and died on May 1, 2024, at her home in Boston. She was the devoted wife of the late Joseph Caputo and the beloved mother of the late Dr. Peter Caputo, She is survived by her daughter, Theresa Maronna, of Boston, her brother, Frank Mezzapeso, of Youngstown, Ohio, and a nephew, Steven Mezzapeso, of Poland, Ohio.
The arc of her long life began with her birth at the end of World War I. She survived the Spanish Flu Epidemic of 1918, and grew up during the Great Depression in the loving embrace of the Italian immigrant community that populated New York’s Lower East Side at that time. She worked as a skilled seamstress, helped construct bomber airplanes during World War II, and lovingly raised a family in the decades after that.
Her remarkable resilience allowed her to navigate many losses: the loss of her devoted husband of 42 years, the untimely loss of her beloved son, the loss of many relatives and friends, as well as the loss of much of her eyesight and in the end, her mobility. She did so with courage and dignity.
She had a great love of reading, which she passed on to her two children. She spoke fluent Italian and was often mistaken for a native when she visited her beloved Italy. She relished strong coffee, loved to sing Italian songs, and never lost her New York accent. She was a stellar cook.
Her sense of humor was a distinctive part of her personality. When asked what she wanted for her one hundredth birthday, she replied, “Luggage.” She was gracious and would express gratitude for even the smallest kindness, and she had a lovely habit of generously bestowing her blessings on family and friends.
She had a certain fearlessness that was not undone by old age, and she remained, until the end, young at heart.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend visiting hours on Monday, May 6, 2024 from 4pm to 7pm in the J.S. Waterman Langone Chapel, 580 Commercial St., Boston. COMPLIMENTARY VALET PARKING ATTENDANTS AT FRONT DOOR. A Prayer Service will be held at 7pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Care Dimensions Hospice, 75 Sylvan St., Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923
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