GUILDERLAND – Mary L. Kaffo of Guilderland, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, June 27,2022, four days shy of her 100th birthday. She was born on July 1,1922 in Scranton, PA to Joseph A. and Catherine B. Kaffo. After graduating high school in Scranton, she and her twin sister Louise, set off to New York City and nursing school at St. Vincent’s Hospital. Upon graduation they both enlisted in the Navy and served aboard the USS Consolation in both WWII and the Korean Conflict. They were both discharged with the rank of Lieutenant Commander. They returned to New York, and attended St. John’s University where they received Bachelor’s degrees in Nursing. Mary taught nursing to high school students until she suddenly lost her eyesight at the age of 40. Her strong Catholic faith would sustain her through many challenges thereafter. To be closer to family, Mary and Louise moved to Guilderland in 1977. She was a daily communicant at St. Francis Chapel and a longtime parishioner of Christ the King Church. She was also a member of the Albany Council of Catholic Nurses. Louise and Mary were blessed by the friendship of Sue Griffiths, Mary Jo Batters and Sheila Adams whose love and support allowed them to live independently at home. Their care for Mary after Louise’s passing in 2019 has been extraordinary.
Mary is survived by her twin nieces Mary Ann Gentile (Richard) of CT and Kathleen Lontine (John) of AL. She is also survived by one grand niece, four grand nephews, and two great grand nieces. She was predeceased by her twin sister, Louise; her sister, Joan Ruane; and her brother-in-law Thomas Ruane.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Christ the King Church, Sumter Ave, Guilderland on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited, and may also call at the Hans Funeral Home, 1088 Western Ave., Albany, Saturday morning prior to the mass from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Interment will be held at a later date St. Catherine’s Cemetery, Moscow, PA. To leave a message of condolence for the family or obtain directions to the funeral home, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.
rosemary t koveleskie
I knew both Mary and her sister as we often sat at the same table for Catholic Nurses luncheons. and were a pleasure to know. My blessings are for Mary and her extraordinary caregivers.
Beth Walker
To Mary Kaffo’s family,
I want to offer my deepest condolences.
Mary and Louise were sweet dear friends.
I went to their home for many years to cut and style their hair until I moved out of state in 2016.
We became good friends and I treasure our visits and times together.
I will keep Mary and her family in my prayers.
With my sympathy,
Beth Walker