Valvano, Maria ”Mary”

Fairport – 93.
Predeceased by parents Rose and Cesare, brothers Albert and wife Lucy, brother Bill, husband Bart Valvano.

Survived by sister Edith Antelli, niece Roseanne Oh (Jon) of Boise, Idaho, nephews Rick (Laurie), Steven.

Great nieces and nephews. Richard Antelli(Mary Kay), Ashley Fontanez (Eric), and great nephews Lorenzo and baby Ricky.

A special thank you to the wonderful home health aides that loved and nurtured her all these years at home. Sue Bolt, Anita Lang Ree, Angela Shepard, Tracy Redman.

A celebration of Mary’s life will be held in July.

Mary was just 7 years old when her mother Rose said we are going to America to see Papa.   Now Mary didn’t want any part of this.   She had just started school and didn’t want to leave her friends.   Why must we go?   Mommy explained about an exciting new place in another country.   Mary wasn’t convinced.   But when the whole town showed up in wagons to guide them to the port of call, she began to smile and feel some excitement.   She was leaving grandma and grandpa and aunts and uncles to reunite with papa.   Thus began an epic journey of life and adventure for Mary.   

It was difficult at first without knowing the language but slowly she acclimated and when the Sisters of Holy Cross School chose her to be Snow White in the school play, she felt happy and accepted.   

She loved learning and had a creative side.   Years later she studied hair dressing and quickly opened her own salon.    She grew and continued studying hair design at  Sections d’Art de la Coiffure in Paris France.    She also studied in New York City at the Helena Rubenstein Salon.   Not one to rest on her laurels, she entered the international hair show in New York City and as a 25 year old won first place in the challenge.   Her reputation and business and acumen continued to grow.    People came from all parts of Rochester to her salon the Charlotte Beauty Salon.    As one realtor once a client told her assistant, “Mary was one f the first women entrepreneurs”.    She established one of the first full service salons with hair, manicures, pedicures, massages, hair depilatory, makeup and all the services a woman would need, including a designer boutique.

We were proud of her drive for excellence and learning.   Eventually she married and relaxed a little.   While basically a shy person, Mary could discuss business and finance with any corporate executive who marvelled at her innovative ideas.   Mary’s clients became friends and she always made sure the clients without families always had a Christmas and Easter Basket of flowers.    She was very giving,  making sure her 12 employees had profit sharing at a time when it was not readily offered by industries.   

She was compassionate, loving, kind and very generous to all.    She never thought of herself, but of others.    She was my sister, my best friend and later when I became her mother/father/caregiver, she became my treasure.    God’s treasure to me which we give back to God.   Amen Mary.   Rest in peace