Mary Josephine Mason Suriani, recently of Victor, New York, and previously of The Bronx, New York passed away on October 2, 2022 at the age of 85 after a courageous multi-year battle with cancer. Mary was born to the late Thomas Lawrence Mason and Alice Melia Mason (nee Dolan) on August 5, 1937. Mary is survived by and will be greatly missed by her loving family, including her devoted husband, Frank M. Suriani; three children and their spouses, Peter T. Suriani (Lisa), Christine Suriani Neenan (Kevin), and Alice Ann Suriani; grandchildren, Michael Suriani and Christopher Suriani and Emily Neenan and Kaylea Neenan; sister-in-law, Betty Mason; nephews and nieces, Jeanne Mason Lyles (Bill), Eileen Mason Kittrell (Sean), Thomas Edward Mason, Susan Suriani Hughes (Doug), Donna Suriani Lashower (Len), Peter J. Suriani (Pat), Annette Suriani and Rosellen Suriani DelPrincipe (Michael); cousin, Michael Mackin (Martha) and cousin-in-law, Mildred Mackin; and many wonderful friends.

Mary was blessed to receive a full academic scholarship and graduated from St. Michael’s Academy in New York, NY. Early in her career, she worked at First Boston Corporation in NYC. After taking some time off to raise her three children, she returned to the workforce as the Payroll Administrator for Brian Boru of Westchester at Yonkers Raceway.

Mary enjoyed spending time with her family, particularly her grandchildren. She always looked forward to attending their events including athletic games, performances, award ceremonies, birthday parties, and especially when her grandchildren received their sacraments. Mary also loved “the good stuff”– chocolate ice cream, milkshakes and brownies and would never pass up the opportunity to satisfy her sweet tooth. In her quiet moments, she enjoyed crocheting. The handmade baby outfits, blankets, sweaters and hats are treasured gifts she lovingly gave to her family and friends. On the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of her marriage to her husband, Frank, she enjoyed a Royal Caribbean cruise returning to the island she visited on her honeymoon, Bermuda; but this time in addition to traveling with her husband, she brought an entourage consisting of her children and grandchildren to celebrate and create many wonderful memories. Mary was known for her endless supply of corny “Dad-jokes”, her soft laughter and her room-lighting smile. She also adored dogs and cats In addition to her crocheting, she was gifted with other creative and artistic talents. She would doodle while on the phone, often provide the drawings for her children’s school projects, create Christmas ornaments and house decorations, and play the piano often. Mary loved her family so much that she was a student of the first through sixth grades 4 times– once on her own and then again with each of her children, as she would check their homework, have them correct wrong answers, provide her creative consultation skills on their projects, and study with/quiz her children ahead of their exams.

Mary was proud of her Irish heritage (her parents immigrated to New York from Counties Down and Galway) and on weekends, the sounds of WFUV’s Irish Music could be heard throughout the house. She inherited her parents’ “waste-not, want-not” attitude. She had a talent for looking at an object and could frequently devise many unintended uses for that same object. Nothing was ever thrown out as she would salvage an item for secondary, and tertiary uses! During the Holidays, the family was amazed with the quality and quantity of the delicious dishes she cooked on four stove-top burners and an oven. The meals were the highlight and most anticipated part of the day. The secret ingredient (TLC) she added to her sweet potatoes with marshmallows, roast beef, and apple pies had taste buds exhilarated and will surely be missed.

Mary was predeceased by her parents; brother, John Mason and his first wife, Dorothy Mason; maternal aunt, Agnes Dolan Mackin and her husband, Francis (Frank); sister-in-law, Philomena Suriani Grafenecker and her husband William (Bill); brother-in-law, Louis Suriani and his wife Santa (Tina), brother-in-law, Sebastian Suriani and his wife Mary; and cousin, Francis Mackin.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, October 8, 2022, from 4:00PM to 6:00PM at Miller Funeral and Cremation Services, Inc., 301 West Main Street, Victor, NY. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider a gift to: The Wilmot Cancer Institute Annual Fund (A08293) in memory of Mary Suriani. Please use the online giving link or send a note sharing this intention, along with your memorial gift, to the Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, 300 East River Road, Box 278996, Rochester, NY 14627.

The Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:00AM on Monday, October 10, 2022, at St. Catherine of Siena Church, 26 Mendon Ionia Road, Mendon, NY.  A recording of the Funeral Mass can be viewed below.

A Memorial Mass will be held at Saint Barnabas Roman Catholic Church, 409 E. 241st St, Bronx, NY on Saturday, November 12, 2022 at 1PM.

Interment will be postponed until a later date.