Mrs. Mary (DePerno) Buttita

Mrs. Mary (DePerno) Buttita, blessed with 103 years of life, went home to the Lord on Saturday, July 9, 2016 in the comfort of her home with her loving family by her side. Born in Utica on March 4, 1913, Mary was the daughter of the late Giuseppi “Joseph” and Addea (Matrone) DePerno. On September 1, 1934 she married Thomas Buttita, a union that was blessed with harmony and happiness. Family was everything to them. They shared a lifetime of 65 years until Thomas’ passing on March 3, 2000. For a good number of years, Mary worked as a seamstress at Sturdy Toggs Manufacturing Company. She was proud to represent her coworkers as the Union Shop Steward. But her main vocation in life was raising her children, caring for her home, and preparing meals. Her generosity of heart made her a unique woman. She was trustworthy and strong, and faith guided her life every day. She could keep a confidence, make peace, and fight for a good cause. Because of her reliance on God’s grace and faith in her Catholic religion, she brought many matters of the heart to the Lord. She was a Child of Mary, an organization at St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Church, years ago, and she often reflected upon that experience because it left a great impression on her heart that she felt was a blessing. Mary was a truly altruistic woman, concerned for others, and always an advocate. She was good-hearted and light-hearted; her car was filled with fuel and ready to accommodate anyone who needed a ride or had errands to run. She really was a doer of good deeds. Mary hailed from another generational place and time, and all aspects of her life involved hard work and generosity. She was so proud of all her descendants and their achievements. For Mary and Tom, their home was their castle. They planted gardens and from the fruits of the bounty they canned fresh produce and made sauces and jellies. The food they cultivated could feed an army. Mary upheld many Italian traditions and her recipes were legendary. During her spare time, she enjoyed crocheting and knitting which were God-given talents. She was famous for making baby blankets that she humbly gifted to others, and her tablecloths were made with intricate handiwork. She also played pinochle and other card games, and always looked forward to her nightly games with family, as well as the late Monsignor Willenburg. She loved Mother Angelica and watched televised Mass and prayed the Holy Rosary with great devotion. A parishioner of St. Agnes Church, Mary founded many Rosary groups and was the President of the Altar Rosary Society. That was Mary’s life, and once a month she prepared fried dough and made spaghetti dinners, participated in the bazaars, laundered the Altar Cloths, played as well as worked the Bingo gatherings, and made pilgrimages to Canadian shrines to honor the Blessed Mother and St. Anne. Mary is survived by her son, Frank A. Buttita with whom she shared a home and who cared for his mom with much love and respect; her daughter and son-in-law, Lorraine and John McGovern of Utica. Always close to her heart was the memory of her daughter, Concetta A. “Connie” DeTraglia who passed away on December 27, 2015 and her son, Thomas J. Buttita who also preceded her in death on September 8, 2001. She will be remembered by her grandchildren, Shane T. and Stacy McGovern, and Erica M. and Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi; her great-grandchildren, Michael McGovern; Anthony Brindisi, Jr., and Lily Grace Brindisi; her brother and sister-in-law, John “Captain John” and Mafalda “Mitzi” DePerno of Utica; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins. She was predeceased by her brothers and sisters-in-law, Rocco F. and Adeline “Dolly” DePerno, Lawrence J. and Mary D. DePerno, Joseph and Connie DePerno, and Carmen and Carmella DePerno; her sister and brother-in-law, Vincenza Ann “Betty” and Louis S. Dontino; and her in-laws, Carmel Buttita, Frances and Benny Colella, and Anna and John Urgo. The family wishes to thank Amelia Palmer, an angel sent to care for Mary with love, respect, and dignity; and Jaime Cloutier, who provided great support and affection for Mary. These two caregivers made it possible for Mary to remain at home. Thanks also to Roberta from Seniors Helping Seniors, for being a companion to Mary through her days; the staff of Hospice & Palliative Care for their compassionate end-of-life care; Traid Center for their generosity; and Fr. Luis Olguin for bringing to Mary the Blessing of Holy Communion and the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick with reverence. Visitation will be held Wednesday from 5:00-7:00 at the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc, 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in the form of donations may be made to the Mother Angelica Eternal World Television Network (EWTN), online at http://www.ewtn.com/search.asp or Hospice and Palliative Care online at http://www.hospicecareinc.org/donate/donate-online/; envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Mary’s funeral service and Celebration of Life will commence on Thursday morning at 9:30 from the funeral home and at 10:30 at St. Mary of Mt. Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Parish where her Mass of Christian Burial will be offered by Rev. James Cesta. Entombment will take place in Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum.

Mrs. Mary (DePerno) Buttita

March 4, 1913 - July 9, 2016