Mary A. Carducci 1924-2024

Mary was born Feb. 22, 1924, in Dover, the daughter of Gianfelico and Condita Santilli Gualtieri. She moved to Youngstown in 1945.

Mary was a 1942 graduate of St. Joseph High School in Dover, where her yearbook described her as “Mary, our little girl. She’s one of those fleet-footed, blue-eyed gals who always laughs delightedly at quips and cranks and wanton wiles.” Until her 100th birthday, that is exactly how her family and friends saw her.

She loved to read, travel, cook and especially dance. She loved people and was always up for a good time. She laughed and sang often and easily. She loved her family fiercely and was the acclaimed matriarch of it. Her expectations of her family’s duties came from her Italian background and they were non-negotiable. Mary’s family respected and loved her and always tried to live up to those expectations and ideals.

Mary was a lifelong member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Basilica in Youngstown, where she married her husband, Alfonso Carducci, on Aug. 17, 1946. He preceded her in death, June 25, 1993.

She leaves to carry on her wisdom, knowledge and memories, her daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and Barry Miller of Liberty Township; her son-in-law, Charles Zillo of Poland; her grandchildren, Shannon (Miller) and Eric Caton, Scott and Eileen Miller, Ashley (Zillo) and James Sharp, Jason and Sadye Zillo, and Kris Zillo; her great-grandchildren, Ethan, Cameron, Jack and Reagan Caton, and Lola Zillo.

Besides her parents and husband waiting patiently for Mary in her heavenly home, are her daughter, Mariann Zillo; her sisters, Erma Petrella, Anna Lorenz, Lucille Baad and Mary Jane Sacchini; her brother, Edward Gualtieri; and her very best friend, Mildred “Mickey” Spinell.

Family and friends will be received 9 to 9:45 a.m. Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Basilica, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m., celebrated by the Very Rev. Msgr. Michael J. Cariglio Jr.

She will be laid to rest with her husband in Lake Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, tributes may be made to Habitat for Humanity or to the Alzheimer’s Association in her memory.

The family would like to thank Windsor House and Armstrong Memory Care for their loving care of Mary, and those family and friends who visited her even though she may have not always realized their presence.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Davidson-Becker Funeral Home in Struthers. Please visit www.beckerobits.com to send the family condolences.

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