Cherished, devoted Mother and Grandmother, Mary Louise “Mary Lou” Sanginari, nee Nola, age 79, sadly passed away unexpectedly from complications of vascular disease on Thursday, April 15th, surrounded by her loving family.
Mary Lou was the true Matriarch of her family, as the beloved mother of Janine Colletti and her husband George, John Sanginari and his wife Tracy, and Kenny Sanginari and his wife Justine, and the adored grandmother of Brianna, Nicholas, Chiara, Christopher, Lucas and Connor. She was the dear sister of Joann Cashman, treasured Godmother to Cheryl Provenzano and Mary Lou Barcia, and aunt to Jessica Provenzano, Nicole and Gabe Ponterio, and great-aunt to Peyton Layne Pontario, as well as being a special person in the lives of her Aunt Gloria, other nieces and many cousins. Mary Lou also enjoyed long-lasting, close friendships with many, like her best childhood friend, Joyce Tricarico, and her “partners-in-crime squad” all of whom she considered part of her family.
Mary Lou was a life-long Staten Islander who was born and raised in Port Richmond. She attended P.S. 21 and Port Richmond H.S. (and would often plan reunion get-togethers with her old friends from both), as well as the College of S.I. Mary Lou moved to Willowbrook for several years when she first began raising her family, before settling in Westerleigh where she has resided since 1974. She tirelessly worked full-time throughout her life, successfully balancing a happy, loving home for her children, while juggling their many sports schedules and extra-curricular activities, and putting them through Catholic grammar and high schools, college and law school. In her early 20’s, she worked as a clerk in a religious store in NYC, then returned to S.I. to work as an administrative assistant at Assumption Grammar School, legal secretary for the Law Offices of John T. Hall and John Coscia, and as an administrator at the Arthur Kill Correctional Facility for 20 years, up until the day it closed in 2011. She then transferred to another administrative position at the Queensborough Detention Center for several years. Mary Lou finally retired in 2013, taking her best friend, children and grandchildren on the Disney Cruise to celebrate.
In earlier years, Mary Lou was very involved in the PTA at St. Roch School and on the Women’s Auxiliary Board of WSLL; but, she had always been a very active parishioner of St. Roch Church throughout her life, being instrumental in the fight to keep the Church open, and serving as a member of its Senior Group, St. Ann’s Society, S.I. Chapter of Columbiettes, and volunteer for many church events, especially the annual Mother’s Day Brunch and Communion Breakfast she shared with her family .
Mary Lou was also an avid sports fan ~ she looked forward to watching the March Madness games and her favorite teams, the Mets and Yankees (coincidentally also her sons’ favorites) the Giants and, in recent years, the Providence College Friars and Penn State Nittany Lions to support her 2 granddaughter’s college teams as well. Her favorite times of the year were definitely the holidays where she spent days making special holiday favorites for family and friends, including the Christmas cookie bake-a-thon tradition she started with her grandchildren. Mary Lou definitely had a “sweet tooth” (Swedish Fish and all things chocolate!), enjoyed baking and cooking (best chocolate chip cookies and chicken cutlets ever!), and traveling ~ whether it was a bus ride to Atlantic City, summer family vacations in Ocean City, Maryland, or a trip on the auto-train to Florida, Mary Lou was up for anything! Yet, it was the times she spent with her family, that she was so very proud of, that she loved the most, making it a priority to attend all of the many baseball, basketball, football or soccer games, track and swim meets, cheerleading and dance recitals, along with all of the school functions that her children and grandchildren were involved in, even if it meant driving from S.I. to N.J. on any given day when there were often more than one event going on!
Everyone loved “Grandma Lou”! She was intelligent, strong, dedicated, had a great sense of humor, and was the most generous, gracious and selfless person you would ever meet, always thinking of others first. As both Mother and Father to her 3 children who refer to her as their “rock”, and whose friends describe her as “the coolest”, she will always be remembered as an amazing role model for them and her grandchildren – their #1 cheerleader, biggest fan, trusted confidante and all around super – hero. There are no words to express how much Mary Lou will be missed by them every day, and by all who knew her.
Friends will be received Sunday, April 18th from 2-4 and 7-9. Funeral mass Monday,
April 19th at 10 am at St. Roch’s church with burial at St. Peters cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, we are asking for any donations to be sent to West Shore Little League ℅ Nick Sansevero, 340 Walker Street SI,NY 10303
Service
Viewing
Cherubini McInerney Funeral Home
1289 Forest Avenue, Staten Island, New York 10302
Sunday, April 18, 2021
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Sunday, April 18, 20217:00pm - 9:00pm
Mass
St. Roch's R.C. Church
602 Port Richmond Ave, Staten Island, NY 10302
Monday, April 19, 202110:00am
Burial
St. Peter's Cemetery
52 Tyler Avenue, Staten Island, New York 10310
Monday, April 19, 2021
Marybeth and Mark Okula says
To the Colletti and Sanginari families. You were blessed with a wonderful mom! Cherish all those memories. She lives in each one of you! ❤️🙏❤️
patricia baeza says
We were friends from age 5 and on. We met at PS 21 in first grade. We continued our friendship . all of our lives. I loved you and we will meet again. “cousin. ” Patricia Brennan Baeza
Patricia Brennan Baeza says
I love you Mary Lou. My precious friend from 1945.
Joe Dickinson says
Kenny, John, Janine and family, sorry for your loss and sincere condolences. Mary Lou was a fantastic Mom, and very genuine person, she will be missed by all, I will miss her laugh.
Our prayers are with you all.
Joe and Stacy Dickinson
Diane Marsh says
So sorry to hear of Mary Lou’s passing😢 I worked with Marylou for years & always enjoyed time spent with her! My Prayers for her family at this difficult time🙏🏻✝️
Elaine Behrens says
My deepest sympathy to the Sanginari family on their loss. Mary Lou was such a nice person and good company. My special thoughts to Kenny with whom I worked at
JCPenney . There are no words to lessen this loss but take comfort in all the precious memories.
Teresa says
So sorry for the loss of your mom Mary Lou. May She Rest In Peace. Sincerely, Teresa and John Francis.
Dennis Breslin says
I worked with Mary Lou at Arthur Kill CK and at Queensboro CF. I know that I speak for the many people who knew her in both facilities when I offer our condolences to her family and friends. Mary Lou was always a kind, knowledgable and consciencious worker and a friend to us all. our thoughts are with you all…
Michael and Lucille Schiano says
We are very sorry to hear of Mary Lou’s passing. She was a very nice woman who always had the time to say hello. Her friendly smile will be missed. Our love and condolences to her family.
Michael and Lucille on Lathrop’s dead end.
DIANE JULIANO says
My sincere condolences to MaryLou’s family! I was a classmate of hers at PRHS, and worked on many reunion committees with her. She was a very beautiful person, that being beautiful inside and out! May Marylou rest in eternal peace with our Lord in Heaven. She will be missed.
Sincere condolences,
DIANE (DANZA) JULIANO
Doris Mondello (Sis) says
Joann – I can’t believe what I just heard. My condolences to the entire family. When you and Mary Lou were little I babysat for the two of you on Simonson Avenue. Your mother and my mother were like sisters. I worked with Mary Lou at John Hall’s law firm. We had many laughs together. She was the best, always smiling and laughing. I am so sorry I missed her mass this morning. Rest in Peace Mary Lou.
Doris Mondello (Sis)
Patty Duro says
To John,Kenny,&Janine,
I’m so sorry for your loss. She was a Gem.She had a heart of gold.
May she rest in peace. I just lost my husband who was very fond and adored Mary Lou.
She was a great cousin.
Maureen O'Connor Barranco says
To Janine, John, Kenny & Family,
My condolences and prayers for your loss.
Maureen O’Connor Barranco
Genevieve Aitola says
To John, Janine & Kenny So sorry to hear about your Mom, I worked with her at Lamborn & Co. on Wall Street. She was the best… very funny & the sweetest girl I ever met. She took me to Staten Island for my very first time & we went to Buda’s Bakery. We went to lunch many times when I moved to S.I. We had so much fun, I will miss her very much..She was very special..Rest in Peace, I will never forget you…. Love Gen
Normajean Cesario says
Sending sincere sympathy to all. Mary Lou was a long life school friend. Peace,
Normajean and Vinnie Cesario
Norma and Dan Manzella says
To John, Kenny, Janine and families, I am so shocked and so sorry to learn of your Mom’s passing. She was the most pleasant person and I was so honored to have her as a friend. I shared so many great memories with her as you and Danny were growing up. , we were the cheerleaders at the football games and the cheering squad at baseball games. May she Rest In Peace, , I miss her so much.
Charles Nadel says
I’m a little late but wishing condolences to the family. I worked with Many Lou for several years at the Arthur Kill Correctional Facility. I remember a hard worker and a friendly face. Trained her to take my place when I retired in 2002. As a co-worker and friend she will be missed.