Mary T. Calvanese

Mary McGarvey Calvanese passed away peacefully at the Tottenville home of her loving daughter Bonnie on Wednesday, march 25th at the age of 93. She was born in Pennsylvania to Irish immigrants Sarah Boyle and Patrick McGarvey. Mary traveled to Ireland once as a child with her mother and twice as an adult to visit family. She was very proud of her Irish heritage and kept in touch with her relatives there. As a young girl and throughout her adult life Mary was a talented singer. She entertained the family and friends at weddings and other events. Her most requested song was ''Danny Boy.'' In her 20�s she traveled from her home in Tottenville to Manhattan where she worked as a secretary. Later on in life, Mary lived in Manor Heights with her husband of 50 years Joseph Calvanese, deceased in 2017. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She sang in the choir at St. Rita�s Church, where she was famous for her beautiful solo of Ave Maria. She decorated the interior of her home elaborately and beautifully for Christmas and Easter. Mary loved to spend time with her children and grandchildren. Her and her husband took regular trips to Lake George NY and had traveled to Aruba, Europe, California and Canada. After her husband died, Mary moved in with her daughter. In her final years, Mary loved to take long car rides in the country with her daughter and favorite nephew Gary. There were also regular shopping trips and many visits to Staten Island Parks. Whether sitting on the lawn at the Conference House Park overlooking the bay watching the birds and ducks, or walking on the trials; Mary always enjoyed observing the beauty of nature. She was a kind and loving person who always looked for the good in people. She will be dearly missed. She is survived by her loving children Bonnie Petite, Alfred Knutsen, Kevin Knutsen, Noreen Knutsen, Joseph Calvanese and James Calvanese. Her loving grandchildren Joseph, Jayden, Julian, Rebel and Sway Calvanese. A Funeral service will be at 7:00 PM on Wednesday at John Vincent Scalia Home for Funerals, Inc. located at 28 Eltingville Blvd Staten Island, New York 10312. The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Wednesday, March 31, 2021, at John Vincent Scalia Home for Funerals, Inc., 28 Eltingville Blvd, Staten Island, New York. Please be mindful due to current State mandate that a mask must be worn at all times when in the Funeral Home and social distancing requirements must be followed during the services. Due to the current pandemic, a strict 50 person in room policy is in effect. kindly adhere to this policy allowing others to pay their respects. Due to current pandemic circumstances please note: We do not accept deliveries from outside vendors for bakery products, fruit baskets, and floral arrangements until further notice. Floral arrangements can be purchased from our in house floral designers who work under the most stringent sanitary conditions which include temperature checks, mask wearing, distancing and protective clothing. You can call 718-948-2016 and place your order. We must protect the families we serve, our own families and the staff who operate the funeral home. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.scaliahome.com

Mary T. Calvanese

April 24, 1928 - March 25, 2021