Mary R. (Lombardo) Fusco

Mrs. Mary R. (Lombardo) Fusco, age 93, passed away on Tuesday, August 27, 2013 at the Presbyterian Home for Central NY, Inc. with the love and support of her family. Born in Utica on July 12, 1920, Mary was the daughter of the late Salvatore and Angeline (Demme) Lombardo. Raised and educated locally, she attended Utica Free Academy. On July 21, 1947, she married Anthony J. Fusco with whom she shared 64 years. Mary tended to his every need with constant care to the very end. Anthony preceded her on October 11, 2011. Mary was a conscientious woman in all her endeavors. She attended to each detail of her responsibilities with great determination. She dedicated over 20 years to the Utica Public School System as a Teacher’s Assistant and managed the activities and the camaraderie of those who attended the Cornhill Senior Center; and did all of this tirelessly until the age of 80. To prove her energies and discipline she was an avid member of the “Fatty Club” when she worked at Conkling School; a means to maintain her girlish figure. Everyone can be defined by personal attributes and the values that guide them. She lived by the belief of doing the very best she could with life’s concerns and she passed those virtues to her daughters. She was extremely meticulous in her appearance as well as her home. She cleaned and decorated her house according to the seasons which seems to have become a lost art. She loved to socialize and her door was always open and the coffee was always on and served tastefully. Because she was blessed with an aptitude for baking, there was always “coffee and…” Everyone who knew her was aware of her passion for dark chocolate candy and it was no surprise that she included this ingredient when baking and would be remembered especially for her chocolate cakes. In her more active years, she delighted in dining out and ending her a meal with a cigarette and a cup of coffee- nothing made her happier. She was a parishioner of St. Anthony & St. Agnes Church. Mary is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Angela and William “Bill” Meola of Utica, and Patty and Dan Sanders of Rome. Always close to her heart was the memory of her daughter, Regina Delaney, who passed away on March 15, 2011. She also leaves her son-in-law, David Delaney of Chittenango; her grandchildren, William A. and Jodi Meola, Kara and Craig Stitsinger, and Joseph Tartaglia; and her great-grandchildren, Ryan Smith, Gianna Meola, Jake Stitsinger, Marc Stitsinger, and Gianni Tartaglia. Her extended family includes several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and her in-laws, Mary C. Mancuso, Katherine “Kay” Fonderio, Rose DeSanctis, Jean Baldwin, and Ann Fusco. She was predeceased by her sister, Theresa Lupia; and her in-laws, Sandra and Dick DeCrescenzo, Carmella and Walter Reese, Paul S. Mancuso, Salvatore A. “Sam” Fusco, Benedict Lupia, and Edward DeSanctis. The family extends sincere thanks and appreciation to the staff members of the Maple Wing at the Presbyterian Home who were respectful and very caring, allowing Mary to live and pass with dignity; and Rev. Tom Lorenz for his spiritual guidance and blessings. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Mary’s funeral service and Celebration of Life which will commence on Saturday morning at 10:00 a.m. at St. Anthony & St. Agnes Church where her Mass of Christian Burial will be offered by Fr. Mark Kaminski. The family will receive visitors at the conclusion of the Mass. By family request, please omit floral offerings. Entombment will take place in Resurrection Chapel Mausoleum at Holy Trinity Cemetery at the convenience of the family. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave.

Mary R. (Lombardo) Fusco

July 12, 1920 - August 27, 2013