Mary F. DeYenno

She was delivered by a mid-wife at 5:30 a.m. on January 10, 1925 in the town of Yonkers, NY to Philip and Antonette D’Innocenzo. She was the eldest sister followed in turn, by Julia, Lou, Rosie and Phillis.

She graduated from the Tredyffrin-Easttown High School on May 27, 1943. During High Schoool, she was an accomplished scholar-athlete. She graduated at the top of her class. She played tennis, hockey and basketball. She graduated as an RN from the Chester County School of Nursing on October 12, 1946.

She was married on Feb. 1, 1947 to Isadore Louis DeYenno. He was born the very same day and year, but two hours later than she, and reminded her regularly, that he had married an older woman. She is the mother of 4, grandmother of 10 and great-grandmother of 4. She was an RN, the school nurse, the manager of our father’s business, a realtor, the owner of The Daisy Shop, the Tredyffrin Township tax collector and the first woman to serve as Chairman on the Chester County hospital authority. She served as a Republican committee person for 30 years. She turned down an apointment to the PA State Legislature to be with her family.

She hand-stiched the grandchildren’s christening gowns; she made slip covers and draperies for her homes and ours without patterns. She was an artist, gardener, bridge and pinochle player. She could also read music and play the piano; a fact that very few knew. She was a woman devoted to God, the Blessed Mother, her husband, children and family.

She was a woman born way before her time. She juggles family, career and social responsibility at a time when most women had not entered the workforce. She believed in paying God the first 10%, then herself 10%. With the money she set aside each and every paycheck, she was able to present our father with the down-payment money to purchase their first home. It was a huge surprise to him. In August of 1947, she gave birth to the oldest of her 4 children; Carl, followed by Lou in Dec. 1948, Mary Lou in Dec. 1951 and Carol Anne on Christmas Day, 1956.

It is an enormous undertaking to sum up our Mother in such a short space. She had an extended famiy in each of the 4 states that we live in. She was an inspiration to those that met her right up to the moment she fell asleep. While looking for mementos and pictures that are the essence of who she is, I came upon the following note, written free hand on a little piece of note paper. It was tucked in an envelope in her bottom drawer where she kept all of her precious memories. I do not know to which of us it was written, but please accept it as a gift of love, comfort and words of wisdom from our Mother to each and every one of you.

“You are going to succeed beyond your wildest dreams. I have every confidence in your ability to think and act wisely. Use your gifts to help others. Work hard, play fair and trust God. You will always be in my prayers. I love you.”

Mom, you were an inspiration to all who knew you. You will be forever in our hearts and our memories. It was an honor to know you.

Visitation Information

Date: Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Robert L. D’Anjolell Memorial Home of Frazer/Malvern

Address:

392 Lancaster Ave. Route 30 1/4 mile East of Route 352 Frazer, PA 19355  

Wednesday morning viewing and Mass at church.

Service Information

D’Anjolell Memorial Home of Broomall

Address:

2811 West Chester Pike Broomall, PA 19008  

610-356-4200

Date: Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Viewing and Mass on Wed. at St. Elizabeth’s Church.

Cemetery Information

Date: Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Philadelphia Memorial Park

Address:

124 Phoenixville Frazer, PA 19355