Mary Paonessa

She was the third of six children raised in the Christian home of Lawrence and Esther Nielsen on a farm in east central Illinois. Her siblings liked to joke that she was the favorite child in the family. There was always music in their home, and they were taught to harmonize at a young age. She learned to have a strong work ethic and to respond to the needs of others, which led her to pursue a career in healthcare. After graduating from Southern Illinois University as a Physical Therapist Assistant, she moved to Fort Wayne to work at Lutheran Hospital. She took off several years to raise her young children, later returning to work at Fort Wayne Orthopedics.

As her family grew, she took on a different role as Nana to 14 grandchildren and 1 great-granddaughter. It was always special for her grandchildren to receive cupcakes and her “world-famous strawberry jam.” She was a thoughtful gift-giver and showed her love by arriving with a tin of cookies or a bouquet of roses or other flowers from her garden.

She was married to Peter Paonessa for 31 years. In addition to being her soulmate, Peter was her faithful and loving caregiver through many health trials. Over the years, they created a home that was warm and welcoming to their large family and many friends, always sharing an abundance of food and drink! Together they created a beautiful backyard that many compared to a park.

In addition to her husband, Peter, she will be remembered and missed by their children: Amy (Brad) Bartee, Adrienne Paonessa, Sarah (David) Schroeder, Matt (Kristine) Paonessa, and John (Ann) Kremer and grandchildren: Anthony (Leigha), Maria, Claire, Lily, and Eleanor Waikel; Ethan, Isaac and Grace Bartee; Isabelle and Lucy Paonessa; Ben and Zach Kremer; Levi, Caleb and Naomi Schroeder; and Mary’s siblings Rita (Ken) Righter, Beth Hauser, Rick (Jody) Nielsen, Lisa (Les) Dippel, Alan (Shelley) Nielsen, and her many nieces and nephews in addition to godchildren. Mary was also blessed with wonderful Christian friends, including her Girls in Pearls book club.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her brother-in-law, Rev. Dale A. Hauser Jr., Mark Strehlow, and 3 infant grandsons, Andrew and Peter Bartee and Luke Schroeder.

Visitation will be on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at D.O. McComb & Sons Funeral Home - Pine Valley, 1320 E. Dupont Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46825, from 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm. The Funeral Service will be on Sunday, May 3, 2026, at 11:00 am, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Mary will be laid to rest at Highland Park Cemetery.

Although Mary had a deep love for flowers, she has requested memorial donations be made to Turnstone Center for Children and Adults - Therapy Services, 3320 N. Clinton St., Fort Wayne, IN 46805.