Mary Carmello Pagano

Mary Carmella (Ricci) Pagano, 94, died at home on April 27, 2019, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on August 26, 1924, in Port Reading, New Jersey and was the daughter of the late Salvatore and Fiorina (DiPardo) Ricci, and sister of the late Justin Ricci. Mary was a post-World War II bride and died on her 73rd wedding anniversary. She married in 1946 and is survived by her husband, James Pagano, and will be missed by her children; daughters Carol (Paul) Wambach, Elizabeth (James) Curran, and sons James Pagano and Michael (Rebecca) Pagano. They reside in the Harrisburg area. She was blessed to be the grandmother of ten grandchildren: Kristin Wambach, Kara (Kelly) McClain, Patrick (Amy) Curran, Michael (Jessica) Curran, Matthew (Kelly) Curran, Bradley (fiancee Laura) Curran, Jason (Nicole) Pagano, Vincent Pagano, and Kevin Pagano. Mary's infant granddaughter Katie Pagano preceded her in death. She was a great-grandmother to eight children: Hayden Allison, Maxwell and Elliott McClain, Liam, Samuel, Bennett, Eliana and Poppy Curran. Mary was retired from AMP Inc., where she worked in the International Tax Division for 25 years. She enjoyed cooking, carefully selecting ingredients from her backyard garden, that she and her husband cultivated. It was there that she found a love of butterflies; seen as a symbol of the Resurrection, endurance, change, hope and life. Mary with her husband, are founding members of St. Catherine Laboure Church on Derry Street in Harrisburg. She was a member of the Parish Council of Catholic Women and the Legion of Mary. She enjoyed her weekly visits to the Adoration Chapel and had a very strong devotion to the Blessed Mother and the Rosary. Mary also volunteered for many years for Meals-on-Wheels. She enjoyed family outings for many years at the hunting cabin that the family proudly built in Arnot, PA. She enjoyed celebrating family events, which always included her legendary tomato sauce, pizzelles and laughter. Mary's love of family was only surpassed by her love of her Catholic faith. A viewing will be held from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM Wednesday, May 1, 2019 at St. Catherine Laboure Catholic Church, 4000 Derry St., Harrisburg, PA 17111. Mass of Christian Burial will follow, officiated by her pastor, Very Reverend Neil Sullivan, VF. Interment will follow in Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Catherine Laboure Building Fund or Homeland Hospice at Home, 2300 Vartan Way, Harrisburg, PA 17110.