Mrs. Mary A. (Potenza) DiCesare

Mrs. Mary A. (Potenza) DiCesare, age 91, peacefully moved to her eternal home, which her Lord and Savior had prepared for her, on Sunday, March 22, 2015 with her loving family at her side. Her passing took place at the Presbyterian Home for CNY, Inc. where she resided for the past four years. Born in Utica on December 28, 1923, Mary was the daughter of the late Vito and Serafina (Dellerba) Potenza. Raised and educated locally, she was a graduate of T.R. Proctor High School/Class of 1942. On August 4, 1945 she married Sebastian J. “Buster” DiCesare while he was on leave from military duty during World War II. The couple shared a truly blessed union of 68 years until Buster’s passing on March 19, 2014. During her employment years, Mary worked as a bookkeeper and secretary at local establishments. Subsequently, blessed with a talent for knitting, crocheting, and sewing, Mary was a professional seamstress by trade and was employed by various local upholstery businesses. She eventually became self-employed, making her own custom slip covers at her home. The memory of Mary will long remain in the homes and hearts of her family and friends with whom she lovingly shared the fruits of her talents: crocheted or knitted tablecloths, afghans, doilies, baby sets, doll outfits, wash cloths, hand towels, pot holders and scarves. She graciously gave of her time to assist family and friends with their various sewing, crocheting and knitting projects. Mary was a humble and faith-filled woman. On the surprise celebration of her 80th birthday, Mary expressed to the some 84 guests, “In all my dreams, I never thought I would be honored in such a wonderful, memorable way. I want to thank all of you. You have been the inspirations of my life. I would never have seen this day without your constant love and support. I love each and every one of you. However the most precious gift of all was that the Lord made it possible for us to be together.” Mary and Buster found great satisfaction and joy in the love of their children and grandchildren. Mary was a faithful adorer at Nocturnal Adoration for many years. A former member of Sacred Heart Church, she most recently was a parishioner of St. Anthony & St. Agnes Church. Mary is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Annette and Francis Paparella, Joanne and John Bonvicino, and Anne Marie DiCesare and Ed Briggs, all of Utica; her son, Richard DiCesare and Cindy Kosor of North Carolina. Mary mourned the loss of her son, Anthony “Tony” DiCesare, who passed away on December 18, 2012. She will be remembered by her daughter-in-law, Mary DiCesare of Utica; her grandsons, Scott St. Onge, David St. Onge and Kelley Thorp, and Sebastian K. DiCesare. Her extended family includes her brother, John Potenza of Syracuse; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and in-laws, Josephine “Jody” Potenza, Helen DiCesare, Joseph D. DiCesare, Jr., Connie DeCesare, and Angie and Jim Fitzgerald. She was predeceased by her brothers and sisters-in-law, Stephen and Mary Potenza, Abbate “Pat” Potenza, and Dominick and Ann Potenza; her sisters and brothers-in-law, Ida Rose and Peter A. DeCarlo Sr., Palma “Polly” and Raymond Zangrilli, Rose and Joseph Fiore, and Catherine “Kate” and Rocco Graziadei; her father and mother-in-law, Guiseppe “Joseph” and Antonia “Antoinette” (Salamida) DiCesare; in-laws, Nancy Potenza, Antoinette and Tony Pandolf, Lorenza DiCesare, Carl J. DeCesare, Peter J. DiCesare, Pasquale “Pat” DiCesare, and Shirley DiCesare. Mary was appreciative of the care and compassion offered by the staff of the Presbyterian Home for CNY, Inc., especially the Birch Unit. Visitation will be held on Friday from 4-7 at the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave. Mary’s funeral service and Celebration of Life will commence on Saturday morning at 9:30 from the funeral home and at 10:30 at St. Anthony & St. Agnes Church where her Mass of Christian Burial will be offered by Rev. Mark Kaminski. Entombment will take place in Resurrection Chapel Mausoleum at Holy Trinity Cemetery.

Mrs. Mary A. (Potenza) DiCesare

December 28, 1923 - March 22, 2015