Mary Ann Lalley

Jaycox-Jaworski Funeral Home & Crematory

Obituaries | The Tube City Almanac | November 11, 2024

The Family of Mary Ann (Gasparella) Lalley of McKeesport, PA is saddened to announce her passing on November 9, 2024, at the age of 88. Born in Vandergrift, PA on August 22, 1936, to Giovanni and Maria (Cavadon) Gasparella, Mary was the youngest of five children.
Mary graduated from Vandergrift High School in 1954, and attended Pittsburgh Arts Institute. She was employed as a commercial artist by G.C. Murphy Company of McKeesport. She made lifelong friends. In 1956, Mary married the love of her life, Charles W. Lalley. They remained a loving and devoted couple until his death 55 years later. The couple had two children, Maria Ann and James Patrick II. Mary later shared her artistic talents with her community by volunteering at her children's school and teaching the art program at Mt. Vernon's Girl Scout Day Camp in Elizabeth, PA. To nurture her passion for art, she attended various art classes at Divine Redeemer Convent also in Elizabeth. Mary was a forty-year member of her church choir.
Everything Mary touched was approached with thoughtfulness and beauty. Her sense of decorum was evident in the way she cared for her family and their home. Mary was known for her beautifully wrapped Christmas gifts and holiday décor. She was calm, dignified, diplomatic, and caring with every encounter. Her warmth and kindness made a deep impression on everyone she met.
Mary's grace and beauty always shown through, even in the darkest of times as she faced life's complexities. She accepted her devastating diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease the way she lived life with quiet dignity and determination.

Mary is survived by her children, Maria Ann Salankiewicz (Robert); James Patrick II (Tonya); numerous nieces, nephews, and sister-in-law, Geraldine Gasparella; and her five extraordinary grandsons, Mark Salankiewicz, Matthew Salankiewicz (Anna), Maxwell Salankiewicz, Landon Lalley, and Declan Lalley.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Charles; parents, Giovanni and Maria; sisters, Virginia Eshelman (Kelly), Amelia Ferencak (Joseph); brothers, Frank (Katherine), Joseph; niece, Mary Jo Douglas (James) and nephew, Harry Eshelman. Mary was also preceded in death by her in-laws, Elizabeth Gorday (Charles); James Patrick Lalley, Ellen Lalley, John Lalley (Justina); Cora Wall (Charles); and great nephew, John MacIntosh.
Family and friends will be received at Jaycox-Jaworski Funeral Home & Crematory on Friday, November 15, 2024, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, 10 a.m., at St. Patrick Church, Mary, Mother of God Parish.
Committal prayers and burial will follow in Mt. Vernon Cemetery.
Condolences and memories may be shared at www.jaycox-jaworskifh.com.
Chris Odasso, Supervisor

Originally published November 11, 2024.

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