Mary Gloria DeSandre

Born on January 22, 1937, in Detroit, Mary was the cherished daughter of Laurence and Irene Benke. She was the beloved wife of the late Robert DeSandre, with whom she shared 29 years of marriage. Together, they built a loving family and a life filled with laughter, tradition, and enduring devotion.

Mary was the proud and devoted mother of Karen DeSandre, Robert (Tina) DeSandre, James (Karen) DeSandre, Daniel DeSandre, and Susan (Chris) Kucway. She was a treasured grandmother to the late Blake Williams, Melia Polk, Nina DeSandre, Katie Mueller, Dani Quarrella, and Hannah Quarrella, and a joyful great-grandmother to Luca and others. She also held a special place in the hearts of her nieces, nephews, and extended family members.Mary was the dear sister of the late Lawrence Benke, the late Phyllis Mentz, the late Fredrick Benke, and Nicholas (Charlotte) Benke.

Mary retired from Warren Consolidated Schools, where she proudly served as a school bus driver for many years. She had a deep love for nature and was happiest tending to her garden, growing both flowers and vegetables with care and pride. She took great joy in maintaining her own yard. She was also an avid walker, often seen strolling her neighborhood and staying active.

A woman of many talents, Mary was known for her exceptional cooking. Her homemade Christmas cookies and ravioli were legendary and cherished by all who had the pleasure of tasting them. She loved visiting Las Vegas and playing the slots, often traveling there with her daughter Karen for a bit of fun and adventure.

Above all, Mary loved her family. She was deeply involved in their lives and took great pride in her role as mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She even babysat her grand-dog Audrey Hepburn, her son’s beloved English Bulldog, who brought her so much joy.

Mary’s legacy is one of love, strength, and generosity. Her presence will be deeply missed, but her memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

Memorial visitation will be held on Thursday, August 7, from 10:00 AM until the time of the memorial service at 2:00 PM, at A.H. Peters Funeral Home, 32000 Schoenherr Road, in Warren.