Mary S. (Guardi) Gately

Mary S. (Guardi) Gately, age 79, of Utica, passed away on Tuesday, December 21, 2010 at The Pines at Utica Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation with the love and support of her family. Born in Sauquoit on November 27, 1931, Mary was the daughter of the late Giocomo and Josephine (Genevece) Guardi. She was raised and educated in Sauquoit and after having her children, attended the Utica School of Commerce to pursue her training as a clerk typist. Mary held a clerical position with the Oneida County Department of Social Services Support/Collection Unit, retiring in 1994. She was blessed with a great sense of humor and was happy when she made someone laugh. She was a single parent and a woman of great strength and devotion, determined to create a better life for her children. She instilled in them the faith, values, and ethics to live a good life. She treasured her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and also her nieces and nephews. At home, she was appreciated for her savory cooking and her bountiful canning and freezing of fresh fruits and vegetables from the yearly fall harvest. She enjoyed the annual July family reunion at the John Guardi farm and looked forward to the holidays as a time to celebrate with her family and delight her loved ones with her homemade cookies and traditional Italian dishes. In her younger years, she was involved with the productions of the Players Theater. Mary was devoted to her Catholic faith, which she reaffirmed and practiced by attending St. Jude Novenas and living by the words of the serenity prayer. Mary is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Carol Ann and Charles E. DeTraglia of Utica, her son and daughter-in-law, William “Bill” and Elenita Gately of San Diego, CA. Always close to her heart was the memory of her daughter, Mary Rose Gately, who passed away on October 1, 2005; her grandchildren, Lisa and Pablo Ortiz, Kathleen M. Gately, and William Gately II, and Jenna Leigh Citriniti; and her great-grandchildren, Pablo, Jr. and Roman Ortiz. Survivors also include her sister, Congetta Guardi of Utica; her brothers and sisters-in-law, Rosario and Josephine Guardi of VA, Jack and Betty Guardi of Richfield Springs, and John Guardi of West Winfield; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, sister-in-law, Katie Guardi of Richfield Springs; and her friends, Phyllis Fenton, Marge Pettinato, and Marge Mortis. She was predeceased by her sisters, Virginia Rose Guardi, and Josephine Weaver; her brothers and sister-in-law, Peter Guardi, and Sam and Carmella Guardi; her in-law, Kathleen Guardi; and her dear and cherished friend, Theresa Moccaldi. The family is grateful to the Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare Center, 1st & 6th Floor nurses and staff; The Pines at Utica Rehabilitation Center personnel who provided excellent care and compassion; the Masonic Home of NY Rehabilitation Department; Dr. Atul Butala & Associates, Dr. Mathew Ulahannan & Associates, Dr. Jose Ferreira & staff; the additional healthcare practitioners who attended to Mary; and her son-in-law, Chuck who attended to the needs of his mother-in-law with great devotion, respect and love and treated her as if she was his own. Visitation will be held Monday from 5:00-6:00 at the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave. Mary’s funeral service and Celebration of Life will commence on Monday evening at 6:00 at the funeral home immediately upon conclusion of visitation. Interment will take place in Calvary Cemetery at the convenience of the family.

Mary S. (Guardi) Gately

November 27, 1931 - December 21, 2010