Mary Afflitto

We mourn and celebrate the life of a woman who was a beacon of love and service, Mary Afflitto. Mary walked in grace and strength since her birth on January 16th, 1949, in the bustling borough of Brooklyn. And it was on the 29th day of November in the year of our Lord 2024, that our dear Mary was called home, leaving this earthly realm from Staten Island, her soul as pure as the day she was born, having departed from us naturally, with the same tranquility with which she lived her life. Mary, a name spoken with fondness by all who knew her, was the embodiment of familial devotion. A loving mother, she raised her sons Joseph, with his wife Michelle, and Christopher with his wife LauryAnn, instilling in them values that have stood as solid as the oak. Her love blossomed as a generous grandma to Christina, Joseph Pasquale, and to Joseph and Mia Rose, who will carry the torch of her legacy.She was a sister like no other to Theresa and her husband Stephen, and to Geraldine and her husband Stephen, forming an unbreakable bond. As an aunt, Mary was a pillar of support to Stephen, Brittany, Stephen, and his wife Azra, and Brandon. To her cousins, especially Grace and Mary Ferragamo, and Loretta Callegari, she was both a friend and a confidante. Mary’s light shone bright in the halls of Bay Ridge High School, where she laid the foundation of her life’s work. She then went on to serve as a Nurse's Aide at Eger Nursing Home for over a quarter of a century. Within those walls, Mary did not just perform a job; she ministered to the hearts of those in her care, and in return, she found lifelong friends, bonds forged in service and compassion. Steadfast in faith as Mary was a parishioner of Our Lady Help of Christians Parish in Staten Island. There, she shared her spirit freely, her family, love and support becoming integral part of the congregation. Mary offered support and sustenance not just for the soul but for the body as well. Her eggplant parmigiana becoming the stuff of legend, a testament to her belief in the power of a shared meal to bring people together. Let us remember Mary Afflitto as a woman who walked humbly with her God, who loved without reservation and served without seeking reward. She was the heart of her family and the soul of a community that included so many. We will not forget her smile, her gentle touch, her unwavering kindness, and her eternal warmth. Mary has now joined the heavenly choir and, no doubt, is watching over us.