Mary Ann Colatuno

Mary Ann Colatuno (née Corley) of Apex, NC passed away peacefully after a short but courageous battle with gastric cancer on Wednesday, August 4, 2021 at the age of 67. She was born in Staten Island, New York on Aug. 16, 1953, the first of William and Olive (née Dailey) Corley’s eight children.

Mary Ann raised her family in Howell Township, NJ; Buffalo, NY; Kalamazoo, MI; and Pittsburgh, PA before settling in Apex, NC. She made every place she lived a warm and loving home for her three children, Kristy Tucker, Lauryn Stroud and Joe Colatuno.

She was a friend to many and a mom to many more, taking care of everyone both two- and four-legged. Any person stepping foot in Mary Ann’s home was treated to a delicious meal or a crocheted item. Her culinary skills were legendary and she loved cooking. Italian food was her specialty and her gravy was unlike anyone else’s. Mary Ann was an artist with the crochet hook and no project was too challenging for her, including Lauryn’s gorgeous wedding reception dress.

Mary Ann shared a special relationship with her granddaughter, Grace. She adored her dogs Bob, Heidi and her surviving pup, Oatmeal. Mary Ann was blessed to have her love and longtime friend, John Lessard, in her life before his passing on July 20, 2008.

Christmas was a magical time for Mary Ann. She so loved the holiday that she kept a tree up all year long and decorated it for every occasion. Christmas and Hallmark movies were frequently played in Mary Ann’s house.

Mary Ann loved the beach, especially the sound in Emerald Isle where she and her family made many memories over the years.

She loved her family, friends and co-workers dearly and enjoyed porch time with her neighbors and pups while drinking her favorite glass of wine.

Mary Ann worked as a paralegal at the Office of Legal Affairs at North Carolina Central University starting June 1, 2015. Prior to joining the Office of Legal Affairs, Mary Ann worked as a law office manager and family law paralegal in private law firms in Raleigh, NC, since 2000. She briefly worked for the NC Department of Justice in the Agricultural Division of the Services to State Agencies Section before coming to North Carolina Central University.

The family would like to thank the incredible hospice nurses at Transitions LifeCare of Raleigh for taking such good care of Mary Ann as well as her oncologist Dr. Jeremiah Boles and his staff at UNC REX Hematology Oncology Associates.

Mary Ann was predeceased by her father, William Corley; her mother, Olive Corley; and family friend, John Lessard. She is survived by her children and their spouses: Kristyn Tucker and husband, Darryl of Raleigh, NC; Lauryn Stroud and her husband, Will, of Garner, NC; and Joseph Colatuno and girlfriend, Rebecca Franco, of Fuquay Varina. Mary Ann is also survived by her grandchildren, her beloved granddaughter, Grace Tucker; Stella Stroud; Noah Stroud; and Ally Franco. She is also survived by her seven siblings and their spouses: John and Joanne Corley; Juanita and Dan Smith; Daniel and Eileen Corley; Thomas and Denise Corley; Timothy and Kellie Corley; Joseph and Mara Corley; and Kim and Michael Renter.

Mar Ann was a devoted Christian and a longtime member of New Horizons Fellowship in Apex, NC.

A memorial service will be held at 12pm on Friday, August 20th at New Horizons Fellowship, 820 E Williams St, Apex, NC 27502. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations may be made to Pawfect Match Rescue in Holly Springs, NC, Saving Grace NC in Wake Forest, NC or Transitions LifeCare of Raleigh.