Mary Catherine Fusco

Mary C. Fusco (nee Nesci) passed away on September 16, 2023 at the age of 101 years and eight days. Mary was born in the village of Placanica in Calabria, Italy. She emigrated with her parents at the age of four to Buffalo New York, where her brother Nicky was born and where she met the love of her life, Andrew Fusco, to whom she would remain married for almost 65 years until his death.

Andrew and Mary made their home in North Tonawanda, New York for over thirty years and had four children - David (Edith Buehler), Linda, Jeanne (James Clark) and Marilyn (Stephen Schlesinger). She spoke often, with great pride, of being able to provide all four of her children with a college education. She and Andrew retired to Jensen Beach, Florida to a place that is dear to her heart, Nettles Island. There, she loved to work at the library, play tennis and bocce, line dance and participate in countless musical theater productions.

Mary lived a full life and witnessed many significant events of the 20th Century and into the 21st. During her lifetime, she experienced poverty in Italy, endured the American Depression, witnessed the events of World War II, saw a man land on the moon, learned how to operate a typewriter and then a computer and cell phone, and lived through countless other world-changing events. She was an accomplished seamstress, a factory worker (during WWII) and a school secretary (aka daytime “mom” to countless school children). She excelled at many arts and crafts, including the oil paintings that are in the homes of family, friends, and neighbors.

Mary was a devout Catholic and spent many hours volunteering with the Ladies of Charity, St. Anne’s Society and, through her local parish in Florida, St. Martin de Porres. Her favorite expression of faith was “It’s written in the books.”

Mary is preceded in death by her parents, Domenico and Providenza Nesci, her brother, Nicholas Nesci, and her beloved husband Andrew Fusco. Besides leaving behind many friends, she is survived by her four children, seven grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. They are a legacy to her hard work, perseverance, faith, and dedication to excellence. Through them, she has left many bright beams of light in our world!

A visitation for Mary will be held Tuesday, September 19, 2023 from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM at Aycock Funeral Home, 950 NE Jensen Beach Blvd, Jensen Beach, FL 34957. A funeral service will occur Tuesday, September 19, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church, 2555 NE Savannah Rd., Jensen Beach, FL 34957. A graveside service will follow from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Forest Hills Memorial Park, 2001 SW Murphy Rd, Palm City, FL 34990.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to VNA Hospice House of Vero Beach. www.vnatc.com or mail to VNA Hospice Foundation, 920 37th Place #101, Vero Beach FL 32960

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.aycockjensenbeach.com for the Fusco family.