My family has been a neighbor of Mary’s for 40 years and she has known me since birth.  She attended many special events in my life such as First Communion and most recent my wedding.  Mary was a person who enjoyed having the neighborhood kids play in her yard.  I remember always riding my bike on her very long driveway with a hill in the back.  She would always call me to the door and have candy ready to pass out.  And, I too, remember her calling me “baklava!”  Mary, you were a wonderful woman who always spoke your mind.  I’ve enjoyed reading the stories posted by your family.  Rest peacefully knowing you made a positive impression on many people. 

Sincerely,
Danielle (Somrak) Skoczen

Now that the dust has settled, it doesn't seem possible that I will not be getting any more of your phone messages on my answering machine.  You used to leave very detailed messages that went on and on and then you would say, "this is Aunt Mary,"  As if there was ever any doubt.    You left a big hole in the heart of many that won't be soon filled.  We will miss you terribly, but like I said,"You left us a lifetime of memories.   One more thing.  At the cemetery there were two butterflies flitting across your grave.  They say butterflies at the cemetery are good luck and are the spirit of the person that passed.  I like to think that was you and my mom having a great time.

Love
Marie

I tried to write this twice already and it still is not showing up. ok ..One more time..Aunt Mary what a good personality you had and as you use to say "We are so glad to have met you". Joey, Ashley and me (Kathy Amato)My dad, ex, and ex boyfriend all made it a point to say that they liked you many times.)  You said the secret to long living was to laugh..and you were always smiling..Honest and stuck to your convictions...Thanks for all the memories my kids and I had from spending time with you over the years and parties and holidays you attended with us....peanut butter on the spoon,taking them to burger king when you watched them ,. bowling in the basaement we really liked..putting up the real Christmas tree for you the last couple years..Joey bought and we all decorated..good memory but most of all we loved how excited you said you were every year to have it up.and how you couldn't sleep because you were so excited ..That made us even more happy...Ashley and you have alot of memories like a few weeks back Ashley's 5 hour visit.. she said you guys were eating tons of salad which you both always  liked. You made history with us by coming with us to The old Cleveland Indains staduim the last night and we watch them shut the lights out for the last time..It feels like that now  :(. with you gone..Some people come in your life and when they leave ,,it leaves a big hole in your life..I bet you are on alot of peoples list of "l0 people who made a difference in your life..." I won't forget when they said your kidneys are going... Ashley and I came soon that evening and at first You didn't seem to know Ashley but you had alot of medicine..but I also knew how you felt about her and I wanted to make sure you knew she was there...I said who is 
this  and you said your ex's daughter and you are maries daughter..  You did come in out that night..but when we stood up to leave you poped your head right up and said to Ashley "I was shocked to see you today(which you had said when we brought you the tree the first time and you don't shock Aunt Mary easily  lol...) and you said come more ofter and Ashley said Don't you remember me being here a few weeks ago.and you made me eat tuna fish and I already ate it that day and we ate all that salad...and Aunt Mary said "Yes but that was a few weeks ago"..She said come more often(as she always said) Then Ashley said one of Aunt Marys famous lines ..."I am glad I met you"...and Aunt Mary said I am glad I met you too...it was sad as I knew that probably was the last time they would ever see each other after 20 years..of interacting..Joey could not come till Tuesday..and came but you were already passed..He called you twice but once sleeping and once you just didn't remember.Joey..Amazing as your memory always was..I was surprise to see how alert under all that medication with Ashley but happy just the same..You always said they are  good kids...and I am glad they got to know someone like you. We will miss you lot!You said I love this picture when I gave it to you and thought about having you take it with you...So I put up for you one last time..Love you, Kathy

Missing you this Sunday evening, knowing that I'll never hear your unconditional love and knowing voice like I have for many Sundays in our past. I deeply miss you Aunt Mary. I love you and may God Bless you always.

I have known Mary for approximately 32 years.  During all those years, she always made me feel welcome in her home, as well as all those who entered through her doors.  She was such a kind, caring and giving individual and one who never focused on herself.  I admired her honesty and enjoyed her sense of humor.  

One thing that will always stay in my mind, about Mary, was that she knew how much I loved her lasagna.  Throughout the years, she would make sure to have it, for me, when Joe and I would be visiting on Tuesdays and on other occasons, as well.  It brings tears to my eyes thinking of that.

She was truly one in a million and will be greatly missed by all. 

Kathy Jasany

August 15, 2010
 Dear Mary, There are many memories dating back at least 60 years when you would come to visit in Connecticut. All my family there all looked forward to visiting with you and Vic because you were such a pleasure to be around. Beside your unique personality there was always one thing obvious to me, you were a giver of what ever you had and you never looked for anything in return All the visits in California were enjoyable just talking and laughing about the good old days and the stories you would relate that I had forgotten. For the past few years our fun with you was via phone and never did I hear you complain about your problems. As I said before you were a giver of your time and love to all. Two days before you left us you still joked with me about the meal that Marie and Philly had prepared for you that evening when Alice and I called. You are gone but you will never be forgotten in my mind and in my heart.
 Love you, Brother-in-Law, Al

Aunt Mary became a part of my life when I married into the Gresto family. When ever she came to California to visit her sister and/ or her nieces and nephew, Al and I would visit with her. She was always such a delight to be with, her stories, her observations of life.  Her reviews of the menus and service in whatever restaurant we were visiting often threw us into fits of laughter. She was a wonderful cook and we had the pleasure of eating her pizza, pasta and fantastic holiday cookies. In the past few years Al and I have kept in touch with her over the phone. Never did she complain about her situation right up to the week before she passed. Thank you, Aunt Mary, for making me feel like one of the family. I will miss you. Say hello to my mom, dad and brother when you see them.
God Bless You, Aunt Mary

Aunt Mary
What can I say about Aunt Mary? What can we all say?  We’ve all shared many years and many laughs with Aunt Mary.  She had a huge heart and willingness to help those in need.  I’ll never forget what she did for my mother and her sister during my mother’s time of need. She packed her bags and left her home in Ohio to care for my mother who was suffering with cancer. I don’t know exactly how long she stayed, but I can tell you she was there for almost a year and helped my mother through a very difficult time. Her love and dedication to her sister will never be forgotten.
And her love for my wife and children were felt every time we met or spoke on the phone.  The memories will last forever………
Buying my sister Dottie and I Chocolate Rabbits at Easter time…. Playing with her dogs, Tami and Fluffy at her house…..bowling in her basement… riding the lawnmower in her backyard….coming to our wedding in 1990…….coming to visit shortly after Albert and Holly were born. 
What can we say about Aunt Mary’s cooking? She was the best…….Pizza, Lasagna, Eggplant Parmesan, Pasta, and her Italian cookies. It doesn’t get any better than that.
I think it’s important for us to all remember Aunt Mary’s famous sayings such as:
Excuse the pigs among the hogs
Dick Tracy
Pardon me
You know what they call honey…….bee s....t
Sour Cream Dough Bread
Keep the change
You Bacala
Hey Blondie
Holy Man
I’ll knock you on your Coolie!
We all have Aunt Mary stories to tell………….one of my favorites is the following:
Aunt Mary was with my wife, Susan and they were shopping.  Aunt Mary pointed to an overweight woman an ear shot away and said…….Susy, Susy…..you see that woman over there?  When I see people like that, I feel way better about myself!
And how about the time when Aunt Mary drove her car through her sister’s garage and into the house next door………….knocking over a toilet! The story made the newspaper headlines!
So, although we are all feeling the pain of no longer having Aunt Mary here with us on earth, I think it’s safe to say she is now with her Mother and Father, her husband, Uncle Victor, her sisters, Dorothy, Rosie, Josie and her brothers, Liborio, Louie and Tony. And they are all having a good laugh and enjoying each other’s company.
Aunt Mary, we love you.

Love your Nephew, Al

Aunt Mary was always everyone's favorite aunt because of her high energy, sense of humor, and endless ability to love and take care of others. She never had her own children but all of her nieces and nephews thought of her as a second mother. Life will never be the same without her, but I am glad that she will be joining her loving brothers and sisters, including my mother Dorothy.
Here's to you Aunt Mary... say hi to Dick Tracy and God bless you. You will forever be a part of me.
Adele Higgins, Portland, Oregon

AUNT MARY has always been a big part of our family.  My sisters Marie, Phyl and I always included her in our get-togethers. She will be greatly missed, She joins her 3 sister-in-laws Aunt Josie,  Aunt Carmella , and my MOM, Philomena. Sunday they will all be together celebrating the FEAST on Aug.15th as we all did for many years.  LOVE &  PRAYERS

A dear friend of my Mother and all of my Aunts and Uncles.
 A wonderful person that we all felt like she was an Aunt to all of us and to  our children as well!
She will be missed! We have so many fond memories growing up with her being there too! 
She was a Wonderful cook too!
Sandi (Fink) Pucillo  
Mentor, Ohio

My dear Aunt Mary - how I will miss her.  We have been getting together on Tuesdays for years with my Uncle Joe & Uncle Tony.  DeG was always there for her too, and she was like part of the family.

The last few years were hard for Aunt Mary, but not once did she feel sorry for herself or complain.  She loved life, and there are so many that loved her. Most of all she loved to have company over her house.  We will miss her so much.

I'm sure she is looking down on us from heaven with her other siblings that have passed - my mother, Rose, Aunt Dorothy,  Aunt Josie, Uncle Tony,and Uncle Louie.

Aunt Mary was very loved and a very special person.

Love,
Sandra

My dear Godmother.  A great woman with a big heart, a lot of laughs, and a personality no one can imitate.  To me, she is the end of an era, an era full of great, fun memories of Aunty Mary, my Mom, and Aunty Car together, that I will never forget, and will always treasure.  They had a lot of fun together, and together they are again.  I have, and will forever, miss that era.  Aunty Mary....fondest memories....Love, Gina Garmone (Carnevale)

Mary had been what she referred herself to as our "adopted aunt". There are many fond memories from my childhood until the very present when I saw her. And what a card she was, always coming up with some quirky comments. The Sunday nights she and Aunt Car would come to my house and play cards, will always be remembered as well. She will be missed.

OBITUARY

Mary R. Lamonte Nero

November 15, 1916 – August 10, 2010

DiCicco & Sons Funeral Home

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