Mary Jane Cortelli

Mary Jane (McMahon) Cortelli, 85, beloved wife of the late Leonard E. Cortelli passed away March 15, 2015 peacefully in her sleep and on her own terms, just as she lived her life, surrounded by family. Mary was the matriarch and last surviving of eight siblings in the McMahon-Beasley family of South Buffalo, N.Y. Born in Buffalo on July 29, 1929 to a tight knit Irish family, Mary was the fourth oldest of six girls (Betty, Helen, Joan, Mary Jane, Ann, Barbara) and two younger boys (Thomas “Timber” and William “Billy”) born to William McMahon and Bess Beasley from Cork County, Ireland. Mary graduated from Sacred Heart Academy High School in Buffalo and went to work at the Linde Division of the Union Carbide Corporation makers of the famous Lindy Star Sapphire where she met her future husband, Len. Mary & Len married in 1952 and settled in the City of Tonawanda where they raised their five children. Mary later worked for her brother Timber’s Construction Company (Fellmac) as its bookkeeper. In 1976 Len and Mary escaped the Buffalo winters by relocating themselves and their children to Clearwater, Florida for health reasons. Mary worked until retirement at The Nielsen Company in Dunedin, Fl. Mary’s husband, Len passed away in 1991 after 39 years of marriage and Mary never re-married for her remaining 24 years. While in retirement Mary enjoyed her now grown and growing family, reading, knitting and playing cards and Mary volunteered at Espiritu Santo Catholic Church Women's Guild until her health started failing. Never shy, Mary readily struck up conversations in every waiting room with a welcoming, “So, where are you from?” But true to her heritage, Mary took no guff and spoke her mind. A quality she managed to come off as charming and colorful. Family reunions were always entertaining as Mary held court telling humorous and sometimes embarrassing stories about her dear departed siblings as Aunt Mary Jane’s nieces and nephews sat eager to hear about their parent’s childhoods. Mary represented the last link to her generation to many of the family. Mary is survived by her five children, Ann (Chuck) Bellissimo, Karen (Mike) Willi, Dr. Leonard Cortelli, Dr. Michael (Betty) Cortelli, and Mark Cortelli. And ten grandchildren, Desiree (Golan) Rotenberg, Tiffany (Jesse) Taylor, Stephanie Willi, Samantha Willi, Leonard Cortelli III, Anthony Cortelli, Hannah Cortelli, Michael Cortelli, Jr., Cody Cortelli, and Cali Cortelli. Plus five great grandchildren, Bryanna Rotenberg, Paige Taylor, Ryder Rotenberg, Jayce Rotenberg, and Joshua Taylor. Not to mention, over thirty-five nieces and nephews and innumerable other extended family members that have made the McMahon-Beasley family reunions an event not to be missed. The family will be present to receive friends on Thursday, March 19, 2015, 5-8 PM at Sylvan Abbey Funeral Home, 2853 Sunset Point Rd, Clearwater, FL 33759. A Catholic Funeral Mass will be held at 2pm Friday, March 20, 2015 at Espiritu Santo Catholic Church 2405 Philippe Pkwy, Safety Harbor, FL 34695. After mass everyone will be invited for a reception at 340 Shore Drive East, Oldsmar Fl. 34677. The graveside ceremony and internment will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, Mary had established a special needs trust to take care of her son, Mark, after her passing. Contributions are suggested to the “Mary J. Cortelli Living Trust”, mailed care of Ann at 340 Shore Drive East, Oldsmar Fl. 34677.