Mary A. (Lorini) Iorio's Obituary
Mary "Nannie" Iorio earned her angel wings as dawn broke on May 20, 2025. She peacefully entered her heavenly home with loving family by her side. Mary was the third child born to immigrant parents, Phillip and Jean (Toppetta) Lorini from Villa Santo Stefano, Italy on New Year's Eve 1931 at home. Mary was a "Nort-Sider" her entire life. First living on Townsend St. with her parents, sister, Elisa Desidaro, and brothers, Anthony, Joseph and Phillip. This is where Mary met Armand Iorio, her future husband, who boarded with her family upon his arrival from Italy. Mary graduated from North High and at age 17 married Armand on August 27, 1948, at Our Lady of Pompei Church. Mary and Armond were married 47 years, raising their family on Sunset Ave. until his passing in 1995. They were blessed with three children: David, Marianne and Jean. Mary was a parishioner at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and her faith sustained her through the good and bad life brought. Mary prayed to the rosary often and trusted in the power of prayer. Mary provided a loving home for her family as well as being a loyal and hard-working employee. She worked at St. Joseph's Hospital and Syracuse China before going to work at Syracuse Electric/Pass & Seymour for 25 years, retiring at age 62. Mary loved to travel and did so as often as she could. She traveled to Europe several times with her daughters to visit family in Italy and especially loved these trips. Mary visited Canada, another preferred destination as well the casinos in Atlantic City and Las Vegas. Mary played her daily numbers, bought her Lotto tickets and over the years played her fair share of BINGO. She cheered on her Syracuse Orange and the NY Yankees, always asking when the next game was and what channel. Mary didn't let aging stop her traveling. She willingly went on Saturday trips with family to several CNY hot spots. Mary wanted to be part of the group. Family and time with family was most important to Nannie. She would lovingly cook her famous Italian dishes with no recipe ever needed; these included her meatballs and wedding cookies. Nannie's house hosted many a gathering and she valued all the time she shared with family. Nannie continued to instruct others on making cookies and ensured these were passed down. Visiting Nannie was never without food, conversation, and love.
In addition to her parents, siblings and husband, Mary was predeceased by her loving son, David in 2022.
Mary is survived by her daughters: Marianne Spak, and Jean (Ed) Longden; grandchildren: Michael (Nicole) Spak, Gabriella Longden (Thomas), and Nicholas Longden; great-grandchildren: Vada, Juliana, Mariah, Ethan and Ava as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 from 11 am – 1pm, immediately followed by a Celebration of Mary’s Life at the THOMAS J. PIRRO JR. FUNERAL HOME, 3401 Vickery Rd. (corner of Buckley Rd.) North Syracuse, NY. She will be laid to rest next to her husband in Woodlawn Cemetery Mausoleum.
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