Mary C. DiPaolo, lifelong resident of Lansdale and recently of Telford, died on September 8, 2020 at Abington-Lansdale Hospital-Jefferson after a brief illness.
She was the daughter of Samuel S. and Concetta M. (Jenny) Famularo. Mary was the devoted wife of Dominick J. DiPaolo. After his death in July of 2011, Mary never stopped missing her lifelong love. Yet, with great strength and determination, she lived on her own until needing care in the home of her daughter during the few months immediately preceding her passing.
She is survived by her Children: Dominic J. DePaolo (Mary-Beth) and Teresa M. Ascher (Mark); Grandchildren: Joseph D. DePaolo (Monica), Anna-Kate E. DePaolo, Alyssa N. Ascher (Emily Brands) and Andrew N. Ascher, as well as Ben Ortega who resides with Teresa and Mark; Great Grandchildren: Joey and Michael DePaolo; Siblings: Jenny Mitsch (Victor); Samuel Famularo; Steven Famularo (Angie); Anthony Famularo (Judi) and predeceased by brother, Charles Famularo. Mary also leaves behind beloved nieces and nephews for whom Aunt Mary was a favorite aunt; as well as her husband’s dear siblings; and many good friends, including lifelong friend to the DiPaolo’s, John S. Grosch.
Mary devoted her life to caring for her entire family and as Mom-Mom, she provided daily care to each of her four grandchildren while their parents were at work. She always made every day with them full of lots of hugs, kisses, fun and her yummy pastina. She helped them to learn how to read and count. They played countless games together and on her weekly cleaning day, Mary put them to work dusting the kitchen chairs.
Her Italian cooking skills were unsurpassed, especially her Sunday gravy, meatballs, and “fumey” bread. No one left Mary’s home hungry. It was on Christmas Eve at the Feast of the Seven Fishes when Mary’s culinary wizardry made for memorable dishes of eels, smelts, and fried flounder, with her version of baccala being especially delicious. She enjoyed decorating her beautiful home, as well as crafts, crocheting and jigsaw puzzles. At boisterous card nights over the years, as a great poker player, Mary often won the pot of quarters, and she passed on her skills at 500 Rummy to her children and grandchildren and more recently, her in-home caregivers. Mary worked for a time at Younger & Son’s Wholesale Florist where she was able to practice her design artistry in creating beautiful flower arrangements and became a friend to many florists in the Lansdale vicinity. Despite being a Philadelphia area resident, Mary loved her NY Yankees. She often liked to compare the difference in the number of World Series wins between the Yankees and the Phillies.
Above all, Mary’s laugh, quick wit, and strong personality will be missed and remain a treasured memory for so many. We know that she and Dominick are together, dancing again.
A small, private service will be held for immediate family at Washington’s Crossing National Cemetery on September 21 at 10:00 a.m. Keeping with CDC guidelines, all who attend will be required to wear masks and observe social distancing. Interment will be handled separately according to cemetery protocol. In those beautiful surroundings, she will finally join her beloved husband, who was a veteran of the Korean conflict, in their eternal rest together.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to:
Senior Adult Activities Center of Montgomery County
Main Office Address: 536 George Street, Norristown, PA 19401
The family would like to express their deep gratitude for the palliative homecare of the Compassus organization and to the staff of Mary’s physician, Dr. Patricia Roth, and the Lansdale Hospital ER and ICU, who provided excellent care in Mary’s final days. Thank you for the work you do in providing aid to the sick at their most difficult and challenging time. There were several personal caregivers to Mary who deserve special appreciation including her Nurses, Roberta and Lori; her Aides: Crystal, Brittany, Sam and Debbie; and her Social Worker, Agnes.
It is no coincidence that Mary left for her eternal home on the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin. As a lifelong Catholic and parishioner of St. Stanislaus Church, Mary had a special devotion to her namesake and devoutly prayed her rosary. With faith we know she is no longer “mourning and weeping in this valley of tears” and with “eyes of mercy” toward her, she took up her perpetual rest and lives forever.