Mary P. Cafarell, 87, formerly of Utica and New Hartford, died unexpectedly at her home in Naples, FL on November 18, 2008.
Mary was born in New Hartford, the daughter of Arthur and Cora Cardamone Petronio. She was predeceased by her two brothers, Dr. Arthur A. and Louis A. Petronio.
Mary was a graduate of Proctor High School and attended Utica College. During World War II, she worked as a medical records transcriptionist at Rhoads Army Hospital and later became the first medical records historian at the Slocum Dickson Clinic. While working on the 1940 census, she met her future husband, Robert R. Cafarell, a local attorney whom she married in August, 1948. He passed away in July 1996.
After her marriage, Mary became a dedicated homemaker and active community volunteer. She worked with the PTA on the establishment of Christopher Columbus School, volunteered at St. Elizabeth Hospital in medical transport and the gift shop, and donated time to the Munson Williams Proctor Institute, where she also enjoyed taking classes. During her life, she was also an avid tennis player, bowler, and golfer, as well as an accomplished seamstress and knitter.
Over the last decade, Mary spent much of her time at her home in Naples, FL where she enjoyed an active life, volunteering at Naples Community Hospital and working in the library of her community clubhouse. She was a lifelong card player, who took up the game of mahjong at the age of 80, and a word puzzle enthusiast, who worked all the daily newspaper puzzles just before she passed away.
She is survived by her three children, her daughter Corinne (Peter) Wightman of Naples, her daughter Frances, and her son Dr. Robert (Brenda) Cafarell, both of Fairport, NY. She also leaves her beloved granddaughters and their husbands, Beth (Wightman) and Adam Cook of Framingham, MA, and Sara (Wightman) and Matthew Galime of Naples, FL, and her adored youngest granddaughters Lauren and Lindsey Cafarell of Fairport, NY.
The funeral will be on Saturday at 12:00 Noon at St. John the Evangelist Church, New Hartford where a funeral mass will be celebrated. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery. There are no public calling hours.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the charity of your choice in her memory.
Messages of Sympathy
To Mary's family,
I am so sorry to hear of your mom/grandma's passing. She was a wonderful, gregarious woman who I enjoyed all the while during my years at Munson-Williams-Proctor Art Institute. I know she has had some happy years in Naples and I know too that you were the joys of her life. My sympathy to you all. Ginger Parker
Posted by: Ginger Parker | November 21, 2008 04:31 PM
Bob (and family)
My deepest thoughts and sympathies are with. You will be in our prayers. We have had a recent untimely passing in our family which may prevent me from attending your dear mom's service but I will try my best.
Posted by: Vito Potenza | November 21, 2008 03:52 PM
Corinne (and family)
My heartfelt sympathies to you at this sad time. I hope that your memories will sustain you now and bring you peace.
Diana
Posted by: Diana Caswell | November 20, 2008 02:04 PM