Marie Grace Lograsso

Marie was born in San Diego on February 28, 1937 to parents Sadie and Angelo Principato. She was the oldest of four children, followed by her sister Lucy, her brother Nick, and her sister Cathy. Mary and her family lived within the strong Sicilian community of San Diego’s Little Italy.

Mary loved cooking with her mother, and quickly became a wizard in the kitchen. She continued to develop her skills as a cook throughout her life, and she was viewed by most as one of the preeminent Sicilian cooks in the area. In particular, her lavish traditional Sicilian cookies were extremely prized and even warranted an article in a national gourmet magazine.

In 1961 Mary married Edward Lograsso, a commercial fisherman and fellow native of San Diego. Mary and Edward first lived in an apartment on Grape Street, and during that time had three children, Lawrence, Angelo, and Rosemarie. Mary cherished family above all, and this began the most rewarding and fun period of her life.

Mary and Edward next purchased a home in Mission Hills on Jackdaw Street. It was a charming small home in a beautiful neighborhood. Her children attended St. Vincent’s Academy during this period and Mary always loved being part of the school and all of her children’s activities.

Within a few years Mary and Edward built a large and beautiful new home just a few blocks away on Kite Street. It would ultimately be the home Mary and Edward would love for the rest of their lives and the place of countless wonderful memories for them, their children, and their grandchildren.

Once Mary’s children were well on their way to establishing their own lives and families, she once again turned to her great passion of cooking. In 1989 Mary started Honey Bear Cottage, a coffee shop in the Point Loma and Ocean Beach area. Very quickly her skills in the kitchen and naturally addictive personality created a loyal following within the community. A few years later her husband Edward and son Angelo left the commercial fishing business and joined her at Honey Bear Cottage. Following Edward’s passing in 2007, Mary, Angelo, and Honey Bear Cottage continued to be a vibrant part of the coastal community until this very day.

Mary succumbed to a 6 year battle with heart disease on February 28, 2014. Mary was always a fighter and most who knew her did not even know she was sick. She worked up until four days before her passing, and was able to leave this earth on her own terms. She wouldn’t have had it any other way.

Mary was a light in this world. She touched and transformed all those who became part of her life, and we are something less without her. She will be dearly missed.

Mary is survived by children Lawrence, Angelo, and Rosemarie, grandchildren Nicholas, Nicole, and Dane, siblings Lucy, Nick, and Cathy, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. She is predeceased by her husband Edward, mother Sadie, and father Angelo.

Memorial Mass will be held on Tuesday March 18,2014 9:00am at Our Lady of The Rosary Catholic Church on the corner of State and Date in Little Italy.