Mary Ann Mazza

Born and raised in Greenpoint, Brooklyn NY, Mary Ann met her first and forever boyfriend Anthony “Buddy” Mazza when she was fourteen. Their 66 year marriage, currently interrupted by her passing, is such an epic story of love and devotion that it is impossible to speak of Mary Ann without thinking of Buddy, or to mention Buddy without thinking of Mary Ann.

Mary Ann and Buddy left Brooklyn for Selden, Long Island where they bought a house and Mary Ann made it a home. While in Selden, Mary Ann, Buddy and Mary Ann’s brothers Michael and Sam, opened S A & M’s Vegetable Bin in Smithtown. At the store, Mary Ann wore lots of hats. Mary Ann sliced cold cuts, ran the register, hauled fifty-pound bags of onions and potatoes off the truck and into the store, cleaned the strawberries, and so much more. In 1992, Mary Ann and Buddy moved to New Port Richey, FL where Mary Ann again made their house a home, entertained their many friends, and was beloved for her work running the cafeteria register at River Ridge High School/Middle School. When a student was occasionally a little short of funds at the register, Mary Ann became their Italian Grandma and made sure they didn’t leave the cafeteria hungry. Because “it’s a sin to let a child go hungry”. In 2005 Buddy and Mary Ann moved to Rio Rancho, New Mexico where Mary Ann again made their house a home. Their home in the Esplanade became a gathering place where neighbors would come to sit and chat and laugh and eat. In 2020 Mary Ann and Buddy moved to Jacksonville, FL to be near their daughter ToniAnn, their three grandchildren, and four great grandchildren. And again, Mary Ann turned a house into a home. A place where you could always stop in for coffee on the lanai. A place to gather for family dinners, where the great grandchildren learned to love Mary Ann's meatballs, gravy, and Italian rice balls. A place to love and be loved. We are grateful to have had Mary Ann with us for so long. Heartbroken that she is not now with us. Hopeful for the time when we will be with her again, for a chat, and a smile, and a hug, and maybe even a meatball.

Mary Ann was preceded in death by her daughter Dawn Marie Mazza, her parents, Anthony Curcio and Caroline Gallo Curcio, and her brothers Sabino and Michael Curcio. Mary Ann is survived by her husband Anthony “Buddy” Mazza, a daughter ToniAnn Doyle and ToniAnn’s husband Bob of Jacksonville, FL. Three grandchildren and four great grandchildren: Marissa A Davis of Wildwood, FL. John M Doyle, his wife Leah and their children Abigail and Anthony of Jacksonville, FL. Kerri L Bridgers, her husband Paul and their children Sean and Benjamin of Brussels Belgium. Two sisters, Lorraine Daniele of Williamsburg Brooklyn NY, and Josephine Catapano and Josephine’s husband Phil of Manhattan NY.

Mary Ann was devoted to our Blessed Mother. Please pray the rosary for Mary Ann. A funeral mass for Mary Ann will be held at 11 AM on March 22, 2022 at Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Church, 11665 Fort Caroline Rd, Jacksonville, FL. Interment of ashes at Jacksonville National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of Mary Ann’s charities: Shriners Hospital for Children, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, or the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

Mary Ann’s funeral mass will be live streamed from the Holy Spirit Parish webpage.

Click on the following web address to access Mary Ann’s funeral mass.

https://holyspiritchurchjax.org/

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hardage-giddenschapelhills.com for the Mazza family.