Mary J. Cavallaro, 94, passed away on April 10, 2018. She was born on May 17, 1923 and was predeceased by her mother and father, Angelina and Albert Randesi, and by her husband, Nicholas J. Cavallaro to whom she was married for 63 years. Mary is survived by a daughter, Marie A. Cavallaro of Salisbury, Maryland, a son, Nicholas A. Cavallaro of Houston, Texas, a grandson, Ian N. Quillen of Baltimore, Maryland and several nieces and nephews living throughout the United States. She was also predeceased by her sister, Petrina LaBarbera and brother-in-law Cataldo LaBarbera, brother Jimmie Randesi, infant siblings, Salvatore and Dorothy Randesi and numerous in-laws, Anna C. and Edward Lipka, George and Josephine Cavallaro, Jack and Mary Cavallaro, Frank and Antoinette Cavallaro, Joe and Ellie Cavallaro, and Armand Cavallaro. She is also predeceased by dear friends Maria Corby and Bob Mayo who were of so much help throughout the years. Mary began working at a very young age in a garment factory that produced slacks and was employed there during and after World War II. She later became a loyal employee of General Electric in Westover and retired from there after 26 years of service. The family wishes to express its deepest gratitude to Mary’s nephew, Thomas LaBarbera, who gave innumerable hours of care and assistance to Mary and her family, and who, often came to visit twice daily, and even accompanied her to the hospital many times in the middle of the night, when her children were so far away and could not be there. The family also thanks Tom’s wife, Debbie and daughter, Dena, Mary’s nephew Albert LaBarbera and wife Sherry. The family wishes to thank Dawn Laudig and Jan Campbell for all the support and assistance throughout the years. The family also wishes to express its heartfelt thanks to cousin Jeannie Muro and husband Ralph for their generous hospitality throughout Mary’s long illness. Special thanks also go to Mary’s cousins, Frances Pullano (who often provided transportation to social activities), Jenny Quartararo, Agnes (Freckles) Randesi, Dolly Escovar and Patricia VanNostrand who met almost every Friday morning to have breakfast and reminisce. These occasions brought immense joy to Mary and to her family as well. Mary wished to acknowledge and thank niece Connie Davis and husband Michael of Richmond Virginia, and their daughter, Megan Montgomery, Susan Cabral of Salisbury, Maryland as well as nieces, Catherine Goodman of Missoula, Montana, and Mary Alice Wexler, of Albany, New York, for the lovely gifts, cards and expressions of love that delighted her and made her feel special. The family thanks good friends and neighbors Helen Pivarnik and Gary Fancher, as well as numerous friends and acquaintances at the Ideal Senior Living Center for all their help and support throughout the years. The family wishes to acknowledge and express its gratitude to Ann Liberman of Houston, Texas for the many ways she assisted Mary’s family in this difficult time. Mary and her family also wishes to thank Paul and Mary Fiacco for spiritual support, support that brought great solace to Mary throughout her long illness. The family will never forget the kindness, compassion, care and love that Mary received by the entire
staff, administration and management at Ideal Senior Living Center and from her health care team in the skilled nursing rehabilitation unit, Violet Court, headed by Dr. Spencer Eisenburg. All helped to make Mary’s last days a little bit of heaven on earth.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday 2:30 pm at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 306 Odell Avenue, Endicott. Entombment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Johnson City. The family will receive friends at church Monday from 1:30 pm until Mass time at 2:30 pm. In lieu of flowers Mary has requested that contributions be made to St. Anthony of Padua Food Pantry, 906 Jenkins Street, Endicott, NY 13760 or to the charity of your choice. Please perform an act of kindness to a stranger, try to understand people who are different from you, read a book to a child, adopt a pet, visit the elderly and support the veterans.