Mary Rose LaGrasta

Mary Rose (Amico) LaGrasta passed away peacefully shortly after marking her 99th birthday on January 23, 2026, with her daughter and son at her side in her assisted living apartment in Elkridge, Maryland where she resided since 2022. Mary was born on January 23, 1927, the eldest of four sisters, in Pittston, Pennsylvania to the late Sam and Anna (Giambarese) Amico. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 53 years, Nicholas, sisters Josephine Strumski of Wilkes-Barre, PA and Eleanor Bird of Pasadena, MD. She is survived by her daughter Linda Russell and husband Jack of Hanover, MD and son Nicholas LaGrasta and wife Kelley Donovan of Wake Forest, NC; her youngest sister Rosalie Brown of Arnold, MD; grandchildren Jason Russell (Laura), Kristina Eberhardt (Brad), Kaitlin LaGrasta (Alex Smith), Jacob Russell (Adriana Huaman), Lauren LaGrasta (Jeff Sukkasem); great-granddaughters Libbie Russell, Charlotte Russell and Emerson Eberhardt; a large extended family of dear nephews, nieces and cousins.

Mary attended the Pittston public school system and graduated with honors from Pittston High School in 1944. Mary and Nick were married in January of 1951. Prior to starting her family, Mary worked as a telephone switchboard operator at the Bell Telephone exchange in Pittston, PA. Mary and Nick moved with their two young children from Pittston to a new home in Old Forge, PA in 1961 where they raised their family and where she resided for 60 years. She supported her husband’s flooring and tile business as the home office manager for over 40 years. Throughout her life, Mary was a dedicated homemaker, expert cook and baker, always trying and perfecting new recipes. Mary took great pride and joy in flower gardening at her Old Forge home, always keeping her lawn, flowering bushes, shrubs, beds and flowerpots in tip top shape. For many years, she loved her turns hosting the monthly pinochle games with her ladies’ club of good neighbors, cousins and long-time friends. In later years Mary and Nick maintained the card club as a couples’ game with cousins and dear friends. Sunday and holiday dinners were always special at Mary and Nick’s home. Her greatest pleasure was having her house full of extended family and friends with a table full of her cooking to feed them.

For many years Mary and Nick made an annual beach trip to Wildwood Crest, NJ for a week’s vacation of sun, fun, food and card games with the DeLia cousins. In their retirement, they went on cruises and road trips to Florida, Missouri, Texas, and the Great Lakes. Mary greatly enjoyed visiting with, attending events for, and doting on all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, at her home and theirs. Mary attended all high school and college graduations for each of her five grandchildren. She also attended the weddings of both eldest grandchildren.

In her later years, Mary provided dedicated and compassionate care and companionship in her home and theirs, to her elderly family members including her mother Anna, husband Nick, sister Josephine and Aunt Louise.

Mary greatly enjoyed the friendship of other residents, her caregivers and all the various activities provided during her stay in assisted living at Lorien Elkridge. The family wishes to express their deep gratitude to the staffs at Lorien Elkridge and Gilchrist Hospice for their kind and compassionate care.

A visitation will be held on January 29, 2026, from 10:00 am to 1:30 pm at Gary L. Kaufman Funeral Home at MMP, Inc., located at 7250 Washington Blvd, Elkridge, MD 21075. A funeral service will follow at the same location from 1:30 pm to 2:00 pm.

A committal service is scheduled for January 30, 2026, at 12:00 pm at Denison Cemetery, located at 85 Dennison Street, Swoyersville, PA 18704.

In lieu of flowers, they family requests that donations be made to the following:

Meals on Wheels of Northeastern Pennsylvania

https://mealsonwheelsnepa.com/donate

Gilchrist Hospice

https://gilchristcares.org/donate/