Mrs. Mary Jane (Pellettieri) Sirianni

UTICA - Mrs. Mary Jane (Pellettieri) Sirianni, age 93, passed away on Thursday, July 5, 2018 at the Masonic Care Community of NY with loving support from her family and staff. Born in Utica on April 13, 1925, Mary Jane was the daughter of the late Daniel and Angeline (Cella) Pellettieri. She was a graduate of T.R. Proctor High School/Class of 1943. On September 18, 1948 she married Anthony J. Sirianni with whom she shared 5 years prior to his untimely passing on September 28, 1953. Over the long decades since Anthony’s passing, she always kept his memory alive. Mary Jane began her working career at the Utica Radiator Corporation performing laboratory work. Sometime later she was employed with the Horrocks-Ibbotson Company. She then accepted a position with the Beaunit Fiber Labs where she worked for 15 years. Her final place of employment was at the St. Elizabeth Medical Center where she administered breathing treatments. She was one of the first people to be hired and trained for this new position presently known as Respiratory Therapy. She retired in 1985. Mary Jane was an amazingly resilient and resourceful woman. At the age of 28 her husband passed away and she became a working mother raising her three children. During her precious little leisure time, she enjoyed socializing with her family and friends. Mary Jane remained involved with a group of friends who have been an important and meaningful part of each other’s lives ever since high school. She expressed her natural artistic abilities through creating watercolor paintings. She also took pleasure in traveling and bowling. She volunteered her service at the St. Elizabeth Medical Center where she earned the distinction and tribute of being affectionately known as “One of the Pillow Ladies”. She was a devout Catholic and at one time, she was involved in the Altar Rosary Society at St. Agnes Church. Mary Jane is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Lorraine T. and Joseph T. Fraccola; and her twin sons and daughter-in-law, Robert Sirianni (whose wife Mary Louise passed away on March 10, 2016) and Anthony and Sharon Sirianni of Katy, TX. She held close to her heart the memory of her son Paul who passed away at birth. She also leaves her grandchildren, Kristen (Fraccola) and Dr. Matthew Betzenhauser; Chelene Sirianni, Robert Sirianni, Jr., Michael Sirianni, and Steven Sirianni; her great-granddaughter, Isabella Betzenhauser; sister, Evelyn Dunning; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and in-laws. She was blessed with many dear and cherished friends who were considered family, especially Theresa Pitrel. She was predeceased by her sister and brother-in-law, Dolores and Joseph Cuda; brother-in-law, C. William Dunning; niece, Suzanne (Dunning) House; and nephew, Douglas Cuda. The family extends their sincere appreciation to the nurses and staff of the Masonic Care Community for caring for Mary Jane as if she were family. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 10:45-11:45 at the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, 2222 Genesee St, Utica. Mary Jane’s funeral service and Celebration of Life will commence at 12:00 noon at the church where her Mass of Christian Burial will be offered by Rev. Joseph Salerno. Interment will follow graveside at Calvary Cemetery. Those wishing to express an act of kindness in Mary Jane’s memory may make a contribution to the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes or the Stevens-Swan Humane Society online at https://stevens-swan.org; envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

Mrs. Mary Jane (Pellettieri) Sirianni

April 13, 1925 - July 5, 2018