Mary Belfiore's Obituary
Mary was born in Brooklyn, New York on April 15th 1928 to Luigi and Rosa Bitondo. She was a middle child of 9 children. Guido, Marie, Vincent, Steven, Theresa, .Mary, Josephine, Anthony and Anna. All have passed away except for the youngest.
Mary had a rough childhood because of the depression, but got along well with all her siblings. All her life, her brothers and sisters were her best friends. They loved to banter back and forth. Enjoying late night cards complete with Italian pastries or bagels to accompany the loud conversations over the game.
Mary married Joseph Belfiore. She had 5 children: Rosemary, Charlie, Joseph, Louis and Vincent. She was a devoted wife and mother. Always making sure they had the proper food and clothing with everything ironed, and every meal homemade. They drove her crazy bringing home stray animals, stray people, pregnant snakes, throwing canned vegetables and starting ‘accidental’ fires... but she loved them anyway.
She was a joyful person. Always happy to cook for the whole family for holidays, weekends and weekly card games. She enjoyed having them visit any time and was always up for playing games of any kind... card games, word games, board games (except for Risk with Vinny) . Scrabble, boggle and crossword puzzles - were her favorites. But she loved to do whatever brought the family together. We would spend hours being silly together and so many nights we’d just laugh, laugh and laugh some more.
In 1993, when her husband passed away, Mary moved to Washington to live with Rosemary. It took her awhile to get used to the quiet noises of the woods versus the city...... She was always worried that squirrels and racoons and other unknown country critters would try to come in the house from underneath. (You can take the girl out of the city, but you can’t take the city out of the girl.) And although bingo was her favorite for many years, she also enjoyed going to the casino. She loved playing the machines and hearing the bells and whistles when she won.
One thing she didn't want to ever do was drive. Mary didn't have a good sense of direction and many times she would find herself lost at the corner of Walk and Don't Walk.
She always had time to listen; ready to lend an ear for her kids and all of her grandkids. She spent her lifetime loving on all the family in her many special ways. She was especially excited that she lived long enough to see the 5th generation come into the world.
She was indeed a great woman, mother, grandmother, friend.
Sometimes she would mention how she didn’t do much with her life, but look how she nurtured so many other lives. She made a huge difference. I hope that we as a family, will remember her legacy by continuing to love one another.
Mary is survived by her 5 children - Rosemary, Charlie, Joseph, Louis, Vincent and their children (respectively) Nivia Crest (Joe Crest), Sandra Chapman (Jeff Chapman), Michelle Davis (Gabe Davis), Jamie, Christopher, Laura Ann, Joey, Louis, Christina, Vincent. And 7 great-grandchildren: Veronica Noel, Cynthia Rose, Joseph Alexander, Justin Harrison, Samara Willarose, Thomas Gabriel and Rebecca Marie. And one great-great granddaughter, Noella Rose.
What’s your fondest memory of Mary?
What’s a lesson you learned from Mary?
Share a story where Mary's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Mary you’ll never forget.
How did Mary make you smile?
