Mary Lou Castriota

On July 2, 2021 our dear Mary Lou Mendel Castriota of Upper St. Clair, PA, passed peacefully in New Port Richey, Florida, at the age of 88; leaving behind her four children, six grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

Just a little over a year ago, she had lost her husband Tony after 67 years together, where they had lived mainly in the South Hills of Pittsburgh before becoming Florida "snowbirds".

She will now join her beloved brother George, and her parents Lou and Mary Mendel.

Mary Lou will be missed by her children Thomas (Anita), Cathy (Wayne Mullin), Susan and John. As well as grandchildren: Beth Mullin (Tony Cameratta), Michael Mullin (Laura Leimkuehler), Bethany Hoag (Kenneth Salmen), Caroline Hoag (Dr. Nithan Bhandarkar), Alex Castriota, Christen Castriota; great grandchildren: Natalie, Dean and Preston Salmen; Wesley, Mira, and David Mullin; and Scarlett and Anthony Cameratta.

She was a petite little darling with a very large heart and an active spirit. She had moved as a young teen from Bloomfield to Dormont, where she eventually met and married Tony Castriota of Brookline.

While raising their four children, she was always the Den Mother, the Girl Scout Leader, the PTA president, and constant entertainer. While also volunteering for local charities, St. Clair Hospital Auxillary, and the St. John Capistran Christian Mothers.

Empty nest time gave her and Tony the opportunity to travel around the world, while she perfected her golf game. Always the consummate hostess, she came home to Pittsburgh for her legendary Christmas Eve dinners with lots of homemade food, baked goods, friends, and family.She was an avid reader of anything medical, and was an amazing cook and baker.

In remembrance of Mary Lou Castriota’s life, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to: Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, UPMC Montefiore, 4th floor, suite 421, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Her children will celebrate her life with a visitation at Pittsburgh Cremation and Funeral Care, 3287 Washington Road, McMurray, Pa. 15317. Thursday July 8, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.

She will be laid to rest next to her husband on Friday, July 9 with a Christian burial at Queen of Heaven Cemetery.