Mary R. Santa Maria

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.

Click here to view Mary’s resting place in St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands, New York (Zip Code Albany, NY 12204).