Mary DePetris nee Luciani

Mary (nee Luciani) DePetris, age 93, of Springfield, PA and formerly of West Philadelphia, passed away peacefully in Christ on September 19, 2024.

Sharp and quick-witted until the end, Mary lived a life devoted to nurturing and caring for loved ones across ten decades. Mary grew up quickly, taking on many responsibilities from an early age. Intelligent, assertive and protective, through the years Mary became a respected matriarch where she cultivated meaningful traditions leaving those she touched with treasured memories. Mary fondly recounted her early upbringing with her siblings on Gross Street, proudly offering homemade meals to the patrons of Luciani’s Restaurant in Springfield, cherished entire summers spent in Sea Isle City, winter trips to Florida with her husband, siblings and old friends, and carefree eating, drinking and laughing with loved ones at her Rehoboth Beach vacation home of 40 years.

Mary especially savored a roasted pepper sandwich or a plate of thin linguini with homemade gravy-simple meals that belied her vast culinary talents, which she showcased year-round. Raised in a time and culture where nourishment was a sincere expression of one’s love, Mary poured her heart into creating elaborate meals, seasonal breads, soups and an array of traditional pastries and cookies.

Without any diminution in her later years, Mary was a consummate caregiver for grandchildren and pets. Even during her final two years in assisted living, Mary was instinctively compelled to advocate for her fellow residents, many of whom could not speak up for themselves.

Mary is predeceased by her husband of 44 years, Philip C. DePetris, her parents Domenicantonio and Rose (nee Massimo) Luciani, her brothers Dante, Joseph, baby Vincent and Rinaldo and her twin sisters Virginia Ward and Rita O’Brien. Mary is survived by her beloved sister, Anna Kelly, her three children, Marie DePetris, Michael J. DePetris (Janice), and Philip J. DePetris, her seven grandchildren, Michael, David, Kristen, Joshua, Stephen, Matthew and Brianna; and an ever-growing legacy of eleven great-grandchildren.

Mary was a long time supporter of research for childhood cancers and so, in lieu of flowers, you are invited to make a donation to St. Jude online HERE or by check payable to:

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

501 St. Jude Place

Memphis, TN 38105

Visitation, Mass and Interment Information:

Relatives & friends are invited to Mary’s visitation on Thursday, September 26^th from 9:00 – 10:30 a.m., immediately followed by a Mass of Christian Burial each at Saint Francis of Assisi Parish at 136 Saxer Avenue, Springfield, PA 19064.

Interment will follow immediately after mass at SS Peter and Paul Cemetery at 1600 South Sproul Road, Springfield, PA 19064.

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