Mary "Nini" (Sterantino) Vecciarelli , VRHS Class of 1945
RENSSELAER — Mary Vecciarelli, 91 of Rensselaer, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 6, 2019, in Apopka, Fla. Fondly known as "Nini" or "Aunt Mare," she was a devoted mother, grandmother, and dear friend to many. Mary was born on February 5, 1927, in Albany to the late Rosario Sterantino and Teresa Sulfuro Sterantino. She was preceded in death by her husband Richard J. Vecciarelli; her sisters, Blanche and Josephine; and her brothers, Patsy, and Joseph. She is survived by a daughter Theresa (Shoemaker) Hastings; two grandchildren, Amanda Bunting and Denver Shoemaker; and two great-grandsons, Maverick and Buxton Bunting. She is also survived by her two brothers, Dominic and Anthony Sterantino and many nieces and nephews. Mary graduated from Rensselear High School in 1945, and was married in 1950 to Richard. She spent her life as a homemaker, she loved to cook, feeding everyone that came through her doors. She moved to Crofton, Md. in 1970, made lifelong friends in a very close neighborhood and was very active in the golf community, actually becoming a better golfer than her husband! She moved to Ocean City, Md. to be close to her daughter and grandchildren in 1982. She was more than a grandmother to them, she filled their lives with unconditional love, stability, encouragement, a kind heart, and as many meatballs as they could eat. Later in life Mary met a wonderful man, Paul Stewart; they were companions for years, traveled together and volunteered in many organizations in Ocean City. Mary was always warm, sociable and welcoming so she began working as a hostess for a number of restaurants in Ocean City, but her passion for making delicious treats prevailed, and she took a job baking at Super Fresh. She moved to Sorrento, Fla. with her daughter and son-in-law after she felt she could not live alone any longer; then to a small assisted living home in Apopka where they welcomed her as part of their family, and this is where she passed away peacefully Sunday morning. A celebration of her life was held at WJ Lyons Jr. Funeral Home in Rensselaer. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Hospice of the Comforter, 480 West Central Parkway, Altamonte Springs, FL, 32714.