Obituary

Mary abruzzino dattilo, 106, died saturday, september 03, in charleston, w.Va. She was born december 18, 1909, in shinnston, the daughter of frank p. And francesca d. Abruzzino. She graduated from seton hill college in greensburg, pa., and taught in harrison county until her marriage to anthony j. Dattilo in 1937. They lived in fairmont, where they were very involved in community, church, and social activities. Mary moved to charleston after her husband died, living at edgewood summit.
Mary’s interest in community issues began during the depression when she taught home economics in high school. She developed lesson plans for nutritious cooking techniques, going into her students’ homes for hands-on demonstrations. Using this experience during world war ii, she volunteered with the marion county war effort to write pamphlets and design store window displays aimed at educating homemakers on ways to deal with food shortages. She also served on a red cross committee that developed a wartime evacuation plan for marion county. One of her treasures was a letter signed by president harry s. Truman thanking her for her contributions. She remained active with the red cross as a board member for several years.
>> in the 1960’s the marion county public library bought the u.S. Post office in fairmont to use as a main facility. Mary was asked to work with the architect on renovation plans, and she often said it was the volunteer effort she found most interesting, challenging, and enjoyable. Her many other activities included serving on the boards of family service of marion and harrison counties, fairmont children’s theater, mt. Vernon garden club, and mt. Vernon book club. She was a founding member of the last three organizations.
Mary and anthony shared a zest for life. They were avid bridge players (mary was a master in both contract and duplicate bridge), golfers, and travelers. Although mary took golf lessons because anthony enjoyed it so much, she soon was better than he was, a story he often told with pride. She won many golf tournaments at various venues, but the highlight was partnering with professional golfer patty berg at lakeview country club in morgantown. Mary continued to play golf into her 90’s and was also an enthusiastic participant in the weekly edgewood summit putting contests. After retirement mary and anthony divided their time between fairmont and lauderdale lake, fla., and enjoyed many cruises to various parts of the world. Mary was predeceased by siblings frank m. Abruzzino, david abruzzino, james abruzzino, stanley abruzzino, frances eckert, and janice brennan; nephews kurt eckert and frank p. Abruzzino and niece mary margaret curtis. She is survived by nieces frances ann snide (jim), diana kuninger (sam), cindy cobb (bill), jane miller (tom), mary anne michael, and niece-in-law kate abruzzino. Surviving nephews are ted brennan, john brennan (jocarroll), and frank k. Abruzzino (liz). The family extends deep gratitude to her devoted caregivers, who for several years enriched mary’s life with laughter, love, and gentle care: tammy byrd, morgan isaacs, and brenda fowler. Special thanks go to emily lanham, who earned our warm thanks in mary’s last months. There will be a memorial mass at sacred heart co-cathedral basilica on saturday, october 1, at 1:30 pm. A rosary will be held at 1:00 pm in the church for those who want to participate.
A celebration of life for family and friends will be held at edgewood summit following the service. Inurnment will be at holy cross cemetery in fairmont.
People who want to give a memorial are asked to consider sacred heart co-cathedral basilica, st. Peter’s catholic church in fairmont, and kanawha hospice care, 1606 kanawha boulevard, west, charleston wv 25387. You may send condolences to the family at: www.Barlowbonsall.Com barlow bonsall funeral home has been entrusted to handle the arrangements.