Mary Franzese

Mary Franzese was born in Brooklyn, NY on October 25, 1930 to her parents Elizabeth and Leopold Manoni. She was the youngest of three children. She had two brothers, Joseph and Remo. She excelled in sports in school and attended college at a time when most women never went to college. She received her Associate's Degree and went to work on Wall Street. Mary met her future husband, Jerry Franzese on the beach. They were married on November 22, 1958. They had two daughters, Jerri-Lynn (Gene) and Denise (John) and moved to East Meadow, New York. Mary loved her home and family and believe it or not but one of her favorite past times was cleaning! Mary believed in education and always told her daughters that not going to college was not an option. She was an amazing cook and her Christmas egg nog, meatballs, and Mexican wedding cakes can never be duplicated - even if her daughters try! She had a very happy life and loved spending time with her family and relatives who all lived nearby. She was like a second mother to her many nieces and nephews.Mary's husband Jerry passed away in December of 1991, and she sold her home and moved to The Knolls in East Meadow. Between her two daughters she had seven grandchildren, Matthew, James, Joseph, Brittany, Thomas, Pamela, and Gregory. She adored her grandchildren and each of them felt the same way about her. She went on many vacations with her daughter's families and on her 80th birthday she went to Woodloch Pines with both families, winning two gold medals. Her grandchildren loved her sense of humor and the way she was never afraid to speak her mind!A few years ago Mary suffered a stroke but she always recognized her family and laughed and lit up when she saw them. Mary, especially loved her aide Tina, who was always by her side. Our hearts are broken but we are so thankful for every minute with her!