Mary I. D'Angelo

Mary I. D’Angelo, 98, formerly of Sheldon Street, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 17, 2021, at the NYS Veterans’ Home, in Oxford, NY.

Born on October 28, 1922, in Messina, Sicily, Mary was the daughter of Joseph and Josephine (Lombardo) Spadaro, who moved to the United States when Mary was just 18 months old. On February 23, 1946, at St. Bartholomew’s Church, in Norwich, she married John D’Angelo, who died unexpectedly at a young age on September 14, 1972. Mary never re-married and, after her husband’s death, raised her three daughters on her own.

Mary worked for many years as a seamstress of uniforms for the Norwich Pharmacal Co. She was an active member of St. Bartholomew’s Church, sang in its church choir, and was a member of the Ave Maria Guild. Mary enjoyed travelling, sewing, and tending to her garden. Mary was affectionately known by her grandchildren as “Nonni.” Two of her favorite sayings were, “I can’t help it if I’m beautiful,” and, “What’s not to love?” She also always thanked God for her many blessings.

Mary is survived by her daughters, Christine Davidson, of Waltham, MA, Amy (Jim) Lawless, of Cornwall, NY, and Gloria (Harry) Papastrat, of Sidney, NY; grandchildren, John Davidson, Jamie Lawless, Lisa Kimball, James “Jimmy” Lawless, and George, Alexander, and Anthony Papastrat; great-grandchildren, Parker, Amelia, Greyson, Finley, Anastacia, and Eleni; sisters, Theresa Zieno and Caroline “Dolly” DiNoto; as well as several nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, Mary was predeceased by her siblings, Carmen, John, and Anthony Spadaro, and Carmela “Molly” Garito.

A private Mass of Christian Burial for Mary will be celebrated at on Thursday, January 21, 2021, at the Church of St. Bartholomew, where the Rev. Ralph A. Bove will officiate. There will be no calling hours. Burial at St. Paul’s Cemetery will take in the spring.

Contributions in Mary’s memory may be made to St. Bartholomew’s Church Memorial Fund, 73 E. Main St., Norwich, NY 13815, or the NYS Veterans’ Home Activities Fund, 4207 State Hwy. 220, Oxford, NY 13830.