Mary Jo Pellingra 's Obituary
Our much-loved Mary Jo Pellingra of Syracuse passed away peacefully Tuesday morning, December 10, 2019. Born in Rochester, NY on August 25, 1937 to Justin Pellingra and Mary (Tartaglia) Pellingra, Mary Jo graduated Convent School in 1955, and in 1959 received a B.A. from the Academy of Saint Elizabeth College in Morristown, NJ. Teaching briefly in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse for Our Lady of Solace School, she then went on to the Syracuse City School District in the late 1960’s teaching kindergarten and first grade for Dr. Weeks and Dr. King, eventually retiring from Bellevue Elementary in 1994. That ending a 30+ year career doing a job she truly loved, serving as the best possible teacher and advocate for the young students in her charge. To this day it is not uncommon for a stranger to smile and say “Miss Pellingra was my kindergarten teacher at Bellevue…” upon hearing our connection to her.
Mary Jo was an avid life-long pet lover giving generously of her time, money, heart and self wherever she saw an animal in need and no matter how many. She would often bring her dogs to school with her to promote an upbeat atmosphere, to introduce children to the benefits of kind, loving, gentle animals and the kind, loving and gentle care they need and deserve.
In 1963 Mary Jo and her sister Gerri attended the funeral service for President John F. Kennedy in Washington D.C., setting the tone for her life-long personal and political leanings.
Family and friends ranked very high amongst Mary Jo’s favorite things alongside the yearly Applefest in Lafayette, numerous craft shows, her personal commitment to the Catholic Church, and projects in and around her Onondaga Hill home; in later years, her in and outside gardening became her post prideful endeavor.
Mary Jo is survived by, Gerri Pellingra (Sam) Spadaro, Justin Pellingra, Craig (Kristen) Pellingra, Pamela Spadaro, Jeanette Rodriguez, Julie Spadaro, Justin Pellingra, Jennifer Titarenko, Shane Salcedo, Ayden Plaza, Keira Remington and Elise Titarenko.
Special thanks to her good friends at At Home Care, the staff at Bishop Rehabilitation and Hospice of CNY.
Calling hours will be held on Sunday, December 15, 2019 from 12 – 2 pm, immediately followed by a Funeral Service in celebration of Mary Jo’s life at THOMAS J. PIRRO JR. FUNERAL HOME, 3401 Vickery Rd. (corner of Buckley Rd.) North Syracuse, NY. Interment will be held in Spring of 2020.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made on behalf of Mary Jo Pellingra to CNY SPCA, 5878 E. Molloy Rd., Syracuse, NY 13211.
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