Mary Rose (Cavallaro) Fragola's Obituary
Mary Rose Fragola died Thursday at Francis House.
She was the widow of Vito J. Fragola and a life-long resident of Syracuse, first on the North Side, then in Lyncourt. Mary Rose is survived by two sons, Anthony N. Fragola of Greensboro, NC, and Michael A. Fragola of Great Falls, VA; a daughter, Florine A. Gilinsky of Syracuse; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; one great great-grandchild; and two brothers, R.J. (AKA Sonny or Rocky) Cavallaro of Cicero, NY, and Sammy (Blue Eyes) Cavallaro of Liverpool, N.Y; nieces, nephews and cousins.
She loved to work and was one of the American women who contributed to the World War Two victory by working on the home front. Among her many jobs, she worked at Woolworth’s, and later at Carrier Corporation where she ran the cafeteria. She loved working with numbers and prided herself on the speed she could calculate figures in her head and make change. Until the end of her life, she did her own taxes. After retiring from Carrier, she was employed by Fanny Farmer part-time. At her 90th birthday party, she was asked, “what is the secret to a long life?” Her answer: “Keep working.”
She belonged to St. Daniels Catholic Church in Lyncourt and enjoyed the Wisdom Group lunches, as well as the lunches for Carrier Retirees.
She loved her flowers, working in her garden, and animals, but her passion was baking cookies of all kinds – especially Italian biscotti, chocolate varieties, filbert and honey, Rugelach, Ukrainian, an endless supply -- hundreds and hundreds of pounds each year. Her generosity of spirit was expressed through her cookies. She loved to share them with family and friends, at celebrations and commemorative services, and with all people who came into her life. Each day she would arise very early and start baking with her constant companion, her Dachshund Gretchen (Gretchie), curled nearby. She baked large meals for her family throughout her life and loved to see them eat her food.
She was selfless and steadfast, and extremely generous in support of her family. She would listen with compassion and understanding, quickly getting to the heart of the matter and offer wise and practical advice. When asked what she missed most about the old days, she said, “my time together with Vito,” her husband who died in 2005. She was direct, but had a wry sense of humor that grew more acute as she aged. Whenever family would end a conversation with “I love you,” she would respond, “I love you more.” And now it is our turn to “love you more,” Mary Rose Fragola.
Funeral services will be conducted at 8:00 am on Wednesday, November 5, 2014 at the THOMAS J. PIRRO JR. FUNERAL HOME, followed by a funeral mass in celebration of Mary’s life at 9:00 am in St. Daniel’s Church. Entombment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery Mausoleum. Family and friends may call from 4:00 to 7:00 pm on Tuesday, November 4, 2014 at the funeral home, 3401 Vickery Rd. (corner of Buckley Rd.) North Syracuse, NY.
Contributions may be made to the Francis House, Hospice of Central New York, American Cancer Society, or CNY SPCA -- either directly OR in care of: Anthony Fragola, 1 Westminster Ct., Greensboro, NC 27410.
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