Mary Susan Santora

Mary Susan Santora, widow of John Edward Santora, was born on June 23,1921, the daughter of the late Dominick and Rosetta Di Pasquale (Nee Favetti) of Norristown, PA, Mary was the youngest girl in the family of seven, as well as a first generation child of Italian immigrants from Milan and Rome, respectively. Mary graduated from Norristown High School in 1939 and, immediately after graduation from Norristown Business College, she went to work as a copywriter for the Curtis Publishing Co. in Philadelphia, PA. With the outbreak of WWII, Mary met the love of her life, John Santora, a U.SC.G. Radioman first class, while walking on the board walk in the resort city of Atlantic City, where John was attending the U.S. Coast Guard Radio School. For both of them, it was love at first sight. After a year of correspondence and courtship, Mary and John were married in Norristown in 1944. When John was sent to the Pacific Theater, Mary moved to John’s hometown in Schenectady, NY. In the meantime, while awaiting John’s return home from the war, Mary went to work in advertising at the Wallace Company, one of the great downtown department stores when Schenectady was still in its heyday. When the birth of her son Milton Bruce, and daughter Donna Maria, Mary became a stay at home mom but still stayed active in church, school (she was a PTA President) and civic affairs. When her children were in college, Mary worked for another late, great Schenectady landmark, the Carl Company, as department head in the linens and domestics department. She was soon promoted to buyer and remained at the Carl Co. for 6 years. Known for her cooking, Mary was a gourmet Italian chef whose antipasto, eggplant parmesan, stuffed artichokes. white pizza, chicken parmesan, tortellini soup, etc. etc. were legendary amongst her family and friends. Passionate about the ballet, opera, the big bands, word puzzles and classic movies, Mary was also an avid gardener and, at one time, had over 45 rose bushes, mostly hybrid teas, ranging from pale lavender to deep crimson. Her home was her haven, and its beauty, inside and out, was an inspiration to all who knew her. Along with her husband, John, Mary was a long time volunteer at the Veteran’s Hospital. For many years, Mary also campaigned on behalf of the united way, the Cancer Society, the Red Cross and the American Heart Association. Mary joined the Italian American War Veterans (IAWV) Richard E. Voris Post No. 37 in 1969 and held various offices in this organization. She was Auxiliary President twice; as well as N.Y. State Department Junior Vice and Senior Vice President. In 1982, Mary was installed as N.Y. State Department President and traveled throughout New York State on behalf of veteran’s affairs. Mary also held the national office as Child Welfare Officer. She was instrumental in helping to establish the Viet Nam War Memorial in Albany, NY. One of the founding members of St. Gabriel’s Church in Rotterdam, Mary was a communicant there for over 50 years. Mary and her husband traveled extensively throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. Besides enjoying being together, they loved to entertain their many friends at their home with countless dinner parties, picnics, and barbeques where John’s wit and sense of humor and Mary’s warm hospitality, welcoming smile, and delicious food made their parties memorable. Mary always had a pot of coffee, freshly baked cinnamon bread and an open heart for anyone who knocked on her door. She really loved people and they, in turn loved her. Mary is survived by two children; Donna Santora and her son Bruce Santora, both of Rotterdam. A calling hour will be held on Monday from 10 to 11 am at the DeMarco-Stone Funeral Home, 1605 Helderberg Ave. followed at 11:30 by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Gabriel’s Church. 3040, Hamburg St. Burial will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Joan Nicole Prince Home, 22 Glenview Dr., Scotia, NY 12302.