Mary Vecciarelli

Mary Vecciarelli, 91 of Rensselaer, New York passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 6th in Apopka, Florida. Fondly known as “Nini”, or “Aunt Mare”, she was a devoted mother, grandmother, and dear friend to many. Mary was born February 5, 1927 in Albany, NY to the late Rosario Sterantino and Teresa Sulfuro Sterantino. She was preceded in death by her husband Richard J. Vecciarelli, her sisters Blanche and Josephine, and her brothers Patsy, and Joseph. She is survived by a daughter Theresa (Shoemaker) Hastings, two grandchildren, Amanda Bunting and Denver Shoemaker, and 2 great grandsons, Maverick and Buxton Bunting. She is also survived by her 2 brothers Dominic and Anthony Sterantino and many nieces and nephews. Mary graduated from Rensselear High School in 1945, and was married in 1950 to Richard. She spent her life as a homemaker, she loved to cook, feeding everyone that came through her doors. She moved to Crofton, Maryland in 1970 made lifelong friends in a very close neighborhood and where she was very active in the golf community, actually becoming a better golfer than her husband! She moved to Ocean City, Maryland to be close to her daughter and grandchildren in 1982, she was more than a grandmother to them; she filled their lives with unconditional love, stability, encouragement, a kind heart, and as many meatballs as they could eat. Later in life Mary met a wonderful man, Paul Stewart; they were companions for years, traveled together and volunteered in many organizations in Ocean City. Mary was always warm, sociable and welcoming so she began working as a hostess for a number of restaurants in Ocean City, but her passion for making delicious treats prevailed, and she took a job baking at Super Fresh. She moved to Sorrento Florida with her daughter and son in law after she felt she could not live alone any longer. Then to a small assisted living home in Apopka where they welcomed her as part of their family, and this is where she passed away peacefully Sunday morning. A celebration of her life will be held Wednesday, January 23rd at WJ Lyons Funeral Home 1700 Washington Ave. Rensselear, NY. Friends and family are welcome, visitation will be held from 10am to noon, followed with the service at noon. In lieu of flowers donations in her memory may be made to Hospice of the Comforter, 480 West Central Parkway Altamonte Springs, Florida 32714.