Mary J. di Carlo Andronaco

Mary Josephine Di Carlo Andronaco, age 86, of New York City, was born in Boston, Massachusetts on May 25, 1938 to Frank William Di Carlo and Emily Irene Damigella. At the age of 17, Mary joined the religious community of the Sisters of Charity of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Mary had always been interested in working with young children and chose this course of action as a path to her personal and professional goals.

Mary began studying Elementary Education with a minor in English at Mount St. Vincent University in Halifax, Nova Scotia and was subsequently selected to participate in a pilot project to study different philosophies of education. During this time, Mary began her teaching career at Resurrection-Ascension School in Rego Park, New York. After three years of teaching first, second, and third grades, Mary was asked to assume the responsibility of opening a new school with a team of sister-teachers. Mary subsequently received her B.S. from Mt. St. Vincent University in 1966. During the last two years of her study, she also attended the Brooklyn Institute for Intercultural Communication.

After teaching kindergarten through fifth grade for 13 years, Mary became interested in a more didactic form of teaching and learning environments and decided to enroll in the two year program offered by Montessori Schools International. She simultaneously taught at the United Nations Montessori School and graduated in 1970 with her Master’s equivalent in Montessori education. During this time, Mary petitioned Rome and received a dispensation from Pope Paul IV which released her from her religious vows.

Mary came to The Dalton School in 1971 and found it to be the most rewarding professional experience of her long and prestigious career. In due course, Mary earned a Master of Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, where she also pursued doctoral studies. A beloved member of the Dalton faculty, Mary taught in the First Program at Dalton for 49 years until her retirement in 2020.

Mary was wed to Dr. Joseph Melchiorre Andronaco, MD, Captain of the United States Army during World War II, in a canon law ceremony at the Vatican and at the Fordham University Church on March 12, 1992. The happy couple enjoyed a joyful life filled with many wonderful adventures together until Joseph’s passing on February 11, 2012.

Mary began attending Central Presbyterian Church at the recommendation of a friend in 2015 and joined the church the following year. From that first Sunday until her last, Mary never missed a worship service

unless prevented by health conditions or extreme weather. It was here that Mary first heard the gospel of grace, and—in her own words—it changed her life forever. Mary quickly immersed herself in the Central family, and many Central families adopted her as their own. In 2019, Mary had the privilege of traveling to the Holy Land, a trip that was significant to her as a pilgrimage of faith. Ever dedicated to service, Mary used her experience in teaching and her love for God to develop a program for Central’s two year olds to teach them how to pray and introduce them to the Bible.

Mary is survived by her beloved brother Paul (Elaine) Di Carlo of Quincy, MA, her nephews Paul (Paula) Di Carlo, Jr. of Raynham, MA and Richard (Renee) Di Carlo of Hanover, MA, her stepson Dr. Raymond (Diane) Andronaco, MD, of Cresskill, NJ, and all the many families of The Dalton School and Central Presbyterian Church whose lives have been so greatly enriched by Mary’s love, encouragement, and generosity. Mary’s many gifts, strong faith, and loyal dedication were an inspiration to all who knew her.

Visitation Thursday, March 6, 2025 at 3:00pm until time of Funeral Service at 4:30pm at Central Presbyterian Church, 593 Park Avenue, New York, NY, 10065.

Interment Friday, March 7 at 11:00am at Long Island National Cemetery, 2040 Wellwood Avenue, Farmingdale, NY 11735.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish to express sympathy may consider making a gift in memory of Mary Di Carlo Andronaco to her two great loves: The Dalton School and Central Presbyterian Church. Checks may be made payable to The Dalton School Annual Fund and mailed to 53 East 91st Street or to the Restore Central Campaign and mailed to 593 Park Avenue. Or one may give online at https://www.dalton.org/support-dalton/make-a-gift or https://www.restorecentral.org/donate