Mary Ann Kahler

Maryann Kahler (née Prizzi), 82, of Newbury Park, California, passed away on September 30, 2026, in the home and community she loved. She was born on July 8, 1944, in Brooklyn, New York, to Carmelo and Josephine (Genna) Prizzi.

Mom was a strong woman, and caring for others was simply who she was. A Catholic, she prayed often for the wellbeing of her family and friends. For more than 20 years she worked as a caregiver for the disabled, giving that work the same steadiness she gave her own family. She also worked as a lunch lady at the elementary school her grandson, Darren Pellegrino Jr., attended, and anyone who sat at her table will remember her cooking. In her later years she found real pleasure in watching Judge Judy, a small ritual she kept right up until the end.

She was married to our dad, Larry Kahler, for 48 years. She was the mother of Kim Marie Pellegrino, who died at two weeks old; John Pellegrino, who died in 2024; and Darren Pellegrino, 52. She was the last of her siblings: sisters Jenny Postilio and Josephine D’Agostino, and brothers Ciro Prizzi, Carmine Prizzi, Jimmy Prizzi, and Joey Cavalieri.

She is survived by her husband, Larry Kahler; her son Darren Pellegrino; her grandson Darren Pellegrino Jr.; and her great-grandchildren Bentley Pellegrino and Bella Pellegrino. She was preceded in death by her daughter Kim Marie Pellegrino, her son John Pellegrino, her parents, and all of her brothers and sisters.

We will miss her strength, her cooking, her prayers, and the plain, faithful way she looked after the people she loved. Services will be held at Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks-Griffin Memorial Park, 5600 Lindero Canyon Rd, Westlake Village, CA 91362.