Mary (Danzi) Birdsall got her wish to be with God on March 15, 2016.
Mary was born on July 3, 1915, to Antonio and Donata (Civita) Danzi. She grew up in Oneonta, NY, and was predeceased by all eight of her brothers.
Mary was a member of the first graduating class of St Mary’s School in 1929 and graduated from Oneonta High School in 1933.
Mary was a member of St. Mary’s Church in Oneonta and a member of the choir. She started singing in 7th grade. Mary did solos at the Church for special events such as weddings and funerals as well as participating in several musicals in the community.
Mary worked at the defense plant, Bendix Scintilla in Sidney, NY during WWII where she met her husband C. Albert Birdsall. They were married on May 26, 1946, and were married 47 years before his death in 1993. Mary worked as a receptionist at Dr. Perrone’s office until she became a mother. Mary had four children, and she devoted her life to raising them. Mary was predeceased by her son Arthur. Mary was a president of the American Legion Auxiliary 1555. Mary enjoyed gardening to make the world more beautiful and keeping busy by making crafts and quilts. Mary loved cooking to feed family and friends; it was the most important way she showed love.
Mary was an independent woman who managed to live on her own until age 97, when she moved in with her daughter Donna and family, filling their home with rainbows, butterflies, and adventures. Mary, beloved to her grandchildren as Grandma B, was predeceased by her grandson Thomas Birdsall. She is survived by daughter Donna and Patrick Thrush; son Francis and Annette Birdsall; daughter Helen and Tom Zimniewicz; daughter-in-law Jane Birdsall; granddaughters Tara Harvey, Jessica and Bill Wolfrom, Margaux and Rishi Nair, and Hannah Birdsall; grandsons Robert and Angel Birdsall, William and Erin Birdsall, Adam Haney; great-grandsons Alexander Birdsall, Anthony Harvey; and great-granddaughter Harini Nair. Mary is also survived by several nieces and nephews and a special thanks to niece Beth Sienkiewicz for the years of loving support.
Her spirit and energy were legendary, she will be missed.
Friends may call on Monday, March 21, 2016, from 5 to 7 pm at the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, 14 Grand Street, Oneonta.
A funeral mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 22, 2016, at 10:00 AM in St. Mary’s Church, 39 Walnut Street, Oneonta., Oneonta Rev. David Mickiewicz , officiating. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery, Otego.
Memorial donations may be sent to St. Mary’s Church in Oneonta, or plant something to make the world beautiful in her memory.
Condolences to the family may be made online by visiting our website: www.grummonsfuneralhome.com
Arrangements are by the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home of Oneonta.
Oneonta Star (Oneonta, NY) 18 March 2016