ALBANY – Mary R. Santa Maria, 91, of Albany, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 7, 2015 in the Hospice Inn at St. Peter’s Hospital. Known to many as Aunt Mary or Aunt Mame, Mary was born in Albany on May 30, 1923, the daughter of the late Salvatore and Carmela Santa Maria. She worked for over 60 years at the Mayfair Beauty Salon, and continued hairdressing in her home until about four years ago. She loved reading, cooking, traveling and spending time with family and friends. She also was a longtime communicant of All Saints Catholic Church and the former St. Margaret Mary’s Church.
She is survived by her nieces and nephews Joseph, Sam, Anthony, and Paul Santa Maria, Margaret Crisafulli, Marilyn Ryan, Joseph Luciano, Mary Blanchette, Camille Schner, Donna Michels, Joan Luciano, John Desantis, and Emily Santoro. She was predeceased by her brothers and sisters Nicholas Santa Maria (Marion), Joseph Santa Maria (Kate), Anthony Santa Maria (Maria), Antoinette Luciano (Dom), Eldena “Dee” Desantis (Bob), and John Santa Maria.
The family wishes to extend a special thank you to our cousin Vinnie Rigosu, who was instrumental in keeping Mary in her childhood home until she entered the hospital last week.
Funeral services will be held in the Hans Funeral Home, 1088 Western Ave., Albany, Wednesday morning at 8:15, and from there to All Saints Catholic Church, 16 Homestead St., Albany (behind CVS). Relatives and friends are invited, and may call at the funeral home Tuesday from 4-7 p.m. Interment will be in St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands. To leave a message of condolence for the family or obtain directions to the funeral home, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.
Linda and Louis Gilboord
February 9, 2015 at 9:35 amTo Camille and Jay and the rest of Mary’s family , Linda and I send our sincere condolences on the death or your aunt. She was so lucky to have all of you as part of her family .
Barbara Severino -Larochelle
February 10, 2015 at 4:12 pmMy Deepest Heart Felt Sympathy to all the Santa Maria Family , on the passing of “Aunt Mary” as she was know to all when we were kids . To my lifelong Friend Marilyn , and to all the cousins please know you are all in my thoughts and prayers Sincerely , Bobbi Severino
mary femia
February 11, 2015 at 4:53 pmTony SantaMaria did my hair and I enjoyed visiting with Mary at the salon. Mary was a gentle kind lady. My sympathy to her extended family
Rose Oppedisano
February 11, 2015 at 7:54 pmTo the family: I am so saddened to hear the news of the passing of “Aunt Mary.” She was always such a wonderful lady to all of us “kids” and she will be missed on Fountain Ave.
Dick and I are out of town or, of course, we would have been there to express our condolences in person.
Sincerely, Rose Rocco Oppedisano
Jane melas
May 18, 2015 at 6:13 amMy sincere sympathy to all the family on your loss. Mary did my hair for many years and was a longtime friend. Jane Melas