Mrs. Mary J. (Pastorella) Polera

UTICA - Mrs. Mary J. (Pastorella) Polera, age 88, passed away on Sunday, August 27, 2017 at the Presbyterian Home of CNY with her loving family by her side. Born in Utica on April 1, 1929, Mary was the daughter of the late Nicholas and Beatrice (Coviello) Pastorella. One of twelve children born during the Great Depression, Mary knew the value of family, sacrifice, and commitment to her community. Raised and educated locally, she attended T.R. Proctor High School. On February 18, 1950 she wed Patsy “Pat” Polera with whom she shared 67 years in a union blessed with mutual love and respect. Mary and Pat worked hard for each other and were each other’s left and right hand. They were a couple always on the go, enjoying life and all the progress and changes that came with it. They were ahead of their time, as they knew how to adapt and embrace all the decades during their journey. In her younger years, Mary worked at the General Electric Company Bleecker Street Plant for a while. She also operated a hair dressing studio on South Street, along with their close friend, “Ray” Raffale Saraceno, a successful business venture that spanned 30 years. Mary pursued many hobbies and interests including the Heritage Doll Club where she served as president for four years, a task she accomplished with skill and style; her entrepreneurship as an EBay seller, often sending her husband Pat to the post office to mail the items she sold; and traveling with Pat to many locales ranging from local destinations to far-away Maui in Hawaii. She was a communicant of St. Anthony & St. Agnes Church. Mary is survived by her husband, Pat; sister, Anna Stores; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and in-laws Rose Pastorella, Diane Pastorella, and Josie Pastorella. She was predeceased by her sisters and brothers-in-law, Beatrice and Gerald J. “Jerry” LaPlante, Jennie and John W. Gerstner Jr., Josephine T. and Joseph Cannerelli, and Antoinette Smith; her brothers, Achille “Corky” Pastorella, Anthony J. Pastorella, Gerald Pastorella, Ralph Pastorella, Nicholas Pastorella, and Alfred “Freddy” Pastorella; and her in-laws, Frank and Beverly Polera, James J. Stores, John A. “Derby Dan” and Frances Polera, Angela “Angie” and Victor Gerace, Mary A. and Stephen A. Potenza, and Dominick “Dick” Polera; nieces, Francine J. Noti, and Sara Gina Kelly; her nephews, Jason LaPlante, and William John Smith. The family extends sincere appreciation to the staff and nurses at the Presbyterian Home of CNY especially those of the Cedar Wing who brought much comfort to Mary as well as her husband Pat. It was also the special attention of their niece and nephew Michelle, and Chad LaPlante that brought signs of reassurance and love to their aunt and uncle. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 4:00-6:00 at the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave. Those wishing to express an act of kindness may consider a memorial contribution to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Rescue Mission of Utica; envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Mary’s funeral service and Celebration of Life will commence on Friday morning at 12:00 from the funeral home and at 1:00 at St. Anthony & St. Agnes Church where her Mass of Christian Burial will be offered by Rev. Mark Kaminski. She will be laid to rest at Our Lady Queen of Hope Chapel at Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum.

Mrs. Mary J. (Pastorella) Polera

April 1, 1929 - August 27, 2017