Mary Di Pietro

Mary DiPetro was nothing if not miraculous. How else do you summarize the life of a woman who fought the odds many times over and won? Born in Bari, Italy, on September 18th, 1939, she left home for America at 13 with her older brother Luigi, 16. She entered school not speaking English, but somehow, they managed to work and save enough money to buy a house a year later, paving the way for the rest of the family to join them.

After graduating from Sewanhaka High School in 1959, Mary became a bookkeeper and seamstress and started a successful catering business. Her skills in the kitchen are legendary, from whipping up a lasagna at midnight to the days-long process of creating amazing pastries or her Italian Wedding Soup.

A significant turning point in Mary’s life occurred when she survived an infection in her hip. She died, was brought back, and told she might lose her leg if not be permanently paralyzed. But instead, she defied the odds and created a brace she had patented to help her walk independently for the next 30 years.

One of the most significant moments of Mary’s life happened on a Saturday evening when Charles DiPietro II asked her to dance. Naturally, Mary, always sassy, turned him down. But Charlie bet his friend he could get Mary, the most attractive girl there, to dance with him, and he wasn’t giving up. Finally, after several more attempts and the promise of five dollars, which Mary’s friend pointed out they could use for gas, she agreed. And they were married for 56 years. Together they traveled the world and the country with their sons Charles III and Vito. For them and their friends, she was the epitome of what a strong mother, woman, wife, and grandmother should be. If you didn’t have family nearby or somewhere to go for the holidays, there was always a place for you at her table. That table will be greatly missed.

Mary is survived by her husband, Charles II, her sons, Charles III and Vito, and her grandchildren, Vito, Luca, Marisa, Nica, and Sabrina.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.jamesfuneralhome.com for the Di Pietro family.

~ The staff of James Funeral Home would like to thank you

for the honor and privilege of serving your family

and with our most sincere condolences and continued support to you. ~

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North Shore Animal League www.animalleague.org/

ASPCA – American Society for Animals www.aspca.org/adopt-pet

St. Jude Children Research Hospital www.stjude.org/