Sister-in-law of Fr. Ralph Coletta dies

STOW -- Mary Coletta, 88, passed away at her home on Wednesday, November 18, 2009, surrounded by her loving family.

[Mrs. Coletta is the sister-in-law of the Rev. Fr. Ralph Coletta, pastor emeritus of St. John the Baptist parish]

She was born in Castel Di Sangro, Province of Aquila, Italy, on October 18, 1921 and came to the United States in 1935. It was then that she and her parents made their home in Akron, Ohio.

She was employed by Goodyear Aircraft as an executive secretary and later became secretary/treasurer of the J.P.Polo Contracting Company, which was founded by her father. She married John Coletta in 1947.

Mary was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish where she was actively involved in many ministries including Rosary Altar Confraternity, Mother of Sorrows Choir, Mission Circle 66 and the National Council of Catholic Women. For the past five years Mary coordinated a group of women dedicated to the ministry of providing hand-made rosaries to those whose lives could be touched by prayer. In just the last five years Mary and her friends made over 30,000 rosaries, which were sent throughout the world to those in military bases, prisons, missions, and hospitals.

Mary's additional memberships included the Castel Di Sangro Auxiliary, the M.S.C. Auxiliary, and most recently, the Christ Child Society.

Preceded in death by her husband, John, in 1984, and her parents, Joe and Josephine Pietropaolo, in 1986, she is survived by son, Ralph (Christine) Coletta of Akron; daughters, Joanne (Robert) Wiseman of Stow, and Mary Jo (Kevin) Keller of Cuyahoga Falls; grandchildren, Cherie (Bruce) Arthur, Jacqueline Coletta, Robert (Amanda) Wiseman, Joseph (Cynthia) Wiseman, and John, Michael, Matthew, Joseph and Daniel Keller; brother-in-law Reverend Father Ralph V. Coletta; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, November 22, from 1 to 8 p.m. at Redmon Funeral Home, 3633 Darrow Road, Stow, Ohio. Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, November 23, at 10 a.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Cuyahoga Falls, Father Ralph V. Coletta, celebrant, and Father Thomas McCann, concelebrant. Burial will take place at Northlawn Memorial Gardens. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to Hospice of Visiting Nurse Service, 3358 Ridgewood Road, Akron 44333. Mary dedicated her life to giving back to others. She was most happy when surrounded by her family, and God granted her dying wish. Mary's video tribute will be available at www.redmonfuneralhome.com

(REDMON, STOW, 330-688-6631)
[Beacon Journal, Akron, OH, Friday, November 20, 2009, page B4. col. 5]