Rochester, NY: On Tuesday, May 5, 2020, Mary Salvione, loving wife and mother, passed away peacefully at age 87. Mary was born on September 4, 1932 in Rochester, NY to William and Gertrude (Aman) Donadoni. Mary grew up in St Andrew’s parish and school. She graduated from Our Lady of Mercy High School in 1950.
Mary raised eight children with Walter Elmer in Chili, New York. Mary was proud of her big family. She enjoyed playing games, especially dominoes and cards. Mary was a sharp euchre player to the end. She was an avid Scrabble player and enjoyed the Daily Jumble puzzle. Mary had a special gift for baking and was known as “Mary, Queen of Desserts” by her children. She had a special knack for making desserts out of creative combinations including chocolate syrup on Cheerios and marshmallows toasted on Ritz crackers. If it were up to her, any kind of chocolate would do.
Mary’s hobbies included playing piano, crocheting, sewing, and reading. Mary was a secretary at the University of Rochester School of Nursing; she retired in 1997. She married Arthur Salvione in 1993. For 18 years, Mary and Art spent winters in Oldsmar, Florida, where they enjoyed square dancing and social events. She was a devout Catholic and faithful communicant. One of her many acts of service was volunteering at Birthright.
She was predeceased by her parents, husband Arthur, brother George Donadoni, sister Dorothy Maier, son Mark, daughter Lucy Sulkowski, and son-in-law Michael Smith. She is survived by her children; Jean Smith, Margie, Bill (Judi), Cathy Raksha, Maria Elmer, Dolores (Tony) Gratto, grandchildren; Brian (Sara) Bickersmith, Colleen (Shaun Baxter) Smith, Jackie (Victoria) Woodward, Stephen, Andrew, and Hannah Sulkowski, Claire and Michael Gratto, and great-grandchildren Violet and Mira Bickersmith, her brother, Alex (Sally) Donadoni, brother-in-law David Maier, and sister-in-law Lorraine Donadoni, many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, funeral services will be held at a future date. As an expression of sympathy, please consider having a Mass offered for Mary’s soul at St Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 3747 Brick Schoolhouse Rd, PO Box 149, Hamlin, NY 14464 or contribute to a charity of your choice.
Arrangements have been made by Rochester Cremation.
Mary was my cousin, her father was my mother’s oldest brother. I visited with her when she came down to her Winter home in Florida. After Art passed away, Mary and I would get together for lunch every now and then. She was a joy to be around, she loved her children, she was kind, little things made her happy and she never said a bad word about anyone. I missed her during the last couple years when she was no longer able to travel. My husband and I send our deepest sympathy to her family. Karen & David Woods