Mary T. Mancuso

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - Mary T. Mancuso, 89, of New Hope, Pa., formerly of Staten Island, died Friday in the Neshaminy Manor Long-Term Care Facility in Warrington, Pa., from complications of Alzheimer’s disease.

Born Mary Theresa Pacifico in Tompkinsville, she moved to Ward Hill in 1960 and then to Silver Lake in 1965, before relocating to New Hope in 1996. In 2007, she moved into an assisted living community, Clare Bridge Cottage in Dublin, Pa., followed by a brief stay at Neshaminy Manor Care Facility.

Mrs. Mancuso worked for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company’s office on Staten Island as part of the women’s work force to replace men serving in the military during World War II. After the war, she married and became a homemaker for the next 20 years.

From 1968 to 1986, she worked in the business office of the Staten Island Hospital. During that time up until 1996, she operated an electrolysis business from her home in the evenings.

She graduated from Curtis High School, where she was a member of the women’s water ballet and developed a lifelong love of swimming.

Mrs. Mancuso was a member of the Staten Island Walking Club, Garden Club and the Curtis High School Alumni Association. She also volunteered at the Staten Island Museum in St. George and later the Free Library of New Hope and Solebury in Pennsylvania.

An avid reader, who enjoyed both classical and modern history, she loved cooking, frequenting museums, performance of both classical and modern music, opera, dance and theater. She also loved traveling, especially to Italy, where she and her disabled daughter, Mary, rented a car to take a 10-day tour of the country.

“She never did any of these things alone,” said her son, Peter. “Instead, she always included family and friends at every opportunity right down to her grandchildren. By doing so, she enriched the lives of all her loved ones with wonderful cultural and learning experiences. Her love and devotion to her family and friends coupled with her friendly demeanor and respect for all people has left a lasting impression and deep love and appreciation on all who knew her.”

She was a member of Our Lady of Good Counsel R.C. Church, Tompkinsville, and then she attended St. Martin of Tours in New Hope.

Her husband, Peter Sr., died in 1995, and her daughter, Mary Theresa Wordlemannm, died in 2000.

She is survived by two sons, Peter Jr. and David; a daughter, Joan Mancuso; two sisters, Theresa Jacobsen and Connie Kennedy; a foster sister, Ruth Borzumato; nine grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.

The funeral will be Wednesday from the Casey Funeral Home, Castleton Corners, with a mass at 10 a.m. in Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. Following cremation, her ashes will be buried at a later date in Silver Mount Cemetery, Sliver Lake.