Mary (DiSantis) Marinelli

Mary Marinelli passed away peacefully on September 13, 2020 surrounded by her loving family.

Mary was born on May 6, 1922 in New Castle, Delaware to Giacinto and Teresa (Consorti) DiSantis.  She attended St. Peter Cathedral Elementary School and graduated from St. Peter’s (New Castle) High School.  She later worked as a secretary and at the Defense Plant during World War II.

Mary married her high school sweetheart, Pasquale J. (Pat) Marinelli in April, 1942. They raised six children together after Pat returned from his wartime service.  Mary and Pat shared 70 years of marriage, enjoying their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mary was an excellent cook of Italian specialties such as homemade ravioli, gnocchi, meatballs and spaghetti.  The Marinelli home was the gathering place for many large, memorable family dinners, especially on holidays.  Her Italian cookies were legendary and enjoyed by all. 

Mary was a devout Catholic who lived her faith daily.  She was a lifelong member of St. Peter the Apostle Parish where she served as a lector and belonged to the Blessed Virgin Mary Sodality.  She prepared meals for the Emmanuel Dining Room and assisted with spaghetti dinners at St. Peter’s.  Mary also was a member of the Third Order of St. Francis of Assisi.

Mary excelled in Spelling and won a spelling contest on the radio at one time.  She was an avid and accomplished crossword puzzle and cryptogram fan.  In later years, she attended painting classes.  Many of her paintings are being enjoyed by her family. 

Mary was a loving and devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt.  She will be greatly missed.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Pasquale, her sisters Edith Gambacorta (John), Lydia Sawyers (Walter), her twin Regina Raighn (George), Elizabeth Laraway (Guy) and Nilda; and her brothers, Ernest DiSantis (Ida) and John DiSantis (Amanda).

Mary is survived by six children and their spouses, Teresa M. Carucci (Robert), Margaret M. Anderson (Gene), Henry (Patti), Patricia DiEmidio (Thomas), Michael (Rose) and Andrew (Patricia).  Mary also leaves twelve grandchildren who cherish her memory, Gene Anderson, II (Kristen), Michael Anderson (Jamie), Domenica Marinelli (Michael), Matthew Carucci, Alanna Mallory (Jay), Mark Anderson (Amie), Michael Marinelli, Jr. (Maila), Thomas DiEmidio (Stacey), Andrea McCahill (Corey), Daniel DiEmidio (Stephanie), Kelly Caudell and Kaitlin Marinelli (Akram).  Kaitlin assisted her grandmother with devoted nursing care.  In addition, Mary is survived by twenty great-grandchildren and many devoted nieces and nephews. 

As restrictions and requirements from the Covid-19 pandemic continue, our family, the Corleto-Latina Funeral Home, and St. Peter the Apostle Church have all agreed to keep Mary’s Services limited to her immediate and extended family.  For the continued safety and health of her family, friends, and community service information will not be published. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary’s name to St. Peter the Apostle Church.

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