Mary Zangrilli

Mary Zangrilli, a sweet and gracious woman, went home to be with the Lord on

Wednesday, September 27. Her passing to Heaven was peaceful, with family at her side.

Mary was born Mary Susanna Snyder on August 16, 1926, in Philadelphia, PA. Her family moved to

southern New Jersey, where she attended high school, enjoying choir and training

as a stenographer. She moved back to Philadelphia to gain employment as a

secretary, eventually being promoted to executive secretary for Philadelphia

Electric Company.

While working in Philadelphia, Mary met her husband, Dr. Alfred Zangrilli, on an

old-fashioned blind date when he was a resident at Jefferson Medical College.

Mary frequently said how blessed she was to have a good husband, noting his

sense of humor as one of the many wonderful attributes that she admired about

him. They had four children, Kathy O'Hara (Jim), Al (Linda), Joan (Dave Pistolesi), and Debbie Nugara (Rick).

After her husband’s death in 1971, Mary continued to raise their family and

became involved in volunteer activities such as the Pittsburgh Council for

International Visitors. She was active and independent until she was almost 90,

driving in the vicinity of her Squirrel Hill apartment, and giving rides to friends.

She was a wonderful babysitter to her grandchildren and the children of close

friends, the latter of whom referred to her as “Grandma Mary.” Mary also enjoyed

her outings with the ladies at St. Paul’s Cathedral, who would often go to lunch

together after Sunday Mass.

Like her husband, Mary had a great sense of humor. In her later years, one of her

favorite jokes was to ask the nurse taking her blood pressure, “Am I still

alive?”, eliciting a laugh from the nurse.

Mary enjoyed music and nature. She loved the hymns of her Christian faith. When

some aspects of her memory were not as sharp as they had been, she often still

knew the words to the hymns and would gladly sing them to friends and family.

Mary loved to admire the various types of trees, the multitude colors of flowers, or

the different shapes of clouds as they moved across the sky. One of her favorite

Scriptures was, “The heavens declare the Glory of God, the skies proclaim the

work of His hands.” (Psalm 19:1) She would often refer to this verse when she saw

a beautiful sunset.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Al, and her siblings Caroline, Matt,

and John. She is survived by her four children and their spouses, as well as 9

grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Mary’s family would like to express their deepest gratitude to her caregiver of 8

years, Darci, from Silver Lining Senior Care, and to Doria, who was the founder of

the company. Mary knew Darci first as a caregiver, and then as a valued friend.

The family also would like to thank Claire and Lyndsey from Pro-Medica Hospice

care. There could not be more kind people to care for a loved one. Additionally, all

the staff at The Willows, Presbyterian Senior Care, as well as the staff of the

former Charles Morris skilled nursing facility, provided attentive and

compassionate care to Mary.

Mary supported many charities, especially the St. Labre Indian School

(give.stlabre.org) and St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org), as well

as charities that supported the rights of the unborn and their families

(donate.nrlc.org). The family would welcome donations to these charities in her

honor, or any expressions of sympathy or remembrance.

Friends will be received at John A. Freyvogel Sons, Inc. (freyvogelfuneralhome.com) 4900 Centre Avenue at Devonshire Street

on Wednesday from 2-6p.m. Funeral Thursday, Mass of Christian Burial, St. Paul Cathedral 10a.m.

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