Mary (Mimi) Sbarra Valentino, formerly of Endicott, NY passed away on Monday, January 10, 2022, with her daughter Lisa, by her bedside at Community General Hospital, Harrisburg, PA after a short illness.
She was predeceased by her husband of 52 years, Antonio G Valentino, her parents Giovanni and Maria Sbarra, brother and sister-in-law Tony & Elvira Sbarra, a sister and brother-in-law Marianna & Antonio Pittarelli; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law Paolo & Lucia (Valentino) Caticchio, and a niece and nephews Luigi & Anna Pittarelli and Donato Biondi.
She is survived by her loving and devoted daughter, Lisa Valentino-Colson and her husband Douglas D. Colson; her grandchildren Nicholas Colson (Allison Dame), Francesca Colson (Jonathan Toves); her nieces & nephews Janey Sbarra, Judy & Robert Wahila, Lucia Biondi, Dorina & Luigi Buttino, Renzo and Michela Caticchio, Maria Luisa & Michele DiLonardo, Nick & Anna Maria Valentino, RoseMary & Maurice Cohen, Terry & Lino Lieto; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Rodolfo & Antonietta Valentino; along with several great nieces, nephews, cousins and godchildren spanning over 3 generations. She is also survived by special friends Pat & Giulia Gargano.
Mary and her mother immigrated to the U.S. in 1950 when she was 17 years old, and lived in Endicott, NY. She was employed by Endicott Johnson shoe factory as a shoe vamp stitcher back in the day and made several long-lasting friendships. She was a member of St. Anthony’s Parish, Endicott up until her move to Harrisburg, PA in 2013 to be closer to her family. She enjoyed trips to Atlantic City, NJ with her husband and friends when she lived in Endicott, and then Hollywood Casino in the greater Harrisburg Area. She would often go to Tioga Downs as well when visiting family and friends in Endicott. She was a member of the Independent Mutual Aid Association, Inc #439.
A 3-time survivor of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, Mary loved tinkering with her 1950’s Singer sewing machine to make pillows, patch everyone’s clothing when needed, and shorten slacks for many, including her own! She also loved her vegetable and flower gardens and looked forward to planting them every year. She loved to cook, especially for her family and friends, and never followed any recipes. A lot of people would say, “Mary is the best!” and she truly was. She was loved so much and will be missed by so many.
A funeral mass and burial will take place on Saturday, January 22, 2022, beginning at 9:30a.m. for visitation at The Church of the Holy Family, Endwell, NY. Mass to immediately follow at 10:30a.m. Entombment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Johnson City.
Due to Covid, and at the request of the family, a celebration of life gathering will take place later in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in Mary’s memory can be made to Mercy House of the Southern Tier located at 212 N McKinley Ave, Endicott, NY 13760 or to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society – Eastern PA & Delaware PO Box 22467, New York, NY 10087-2467. Please note Central PA on your memo line.