Getting to know Fr. Berardi's sister

Mary Lou (Berardi) Ciborek is more than just the sister of Fr. James Berardi. She is a talent in her own right.

She and her brother were born to Joseph and Marie Berardi in the family home on Glenmont Avenue and attended St. Paul School. Her father was a graduate of what was then a new St. Vincent High School in 1919. Mary Lou was graduated from St. Vincent in 1948.

She is both a talented singer and artist. In her younger days she used to sing the Mass and sang at weddings and funerals. Her talent as an artist prompted Msgr. Gallather to ask her do the paintings above.

Her career included time as an artist in the retail advertising department at the Beacon Journal where she did art work for 16 ad salesmen who called for illustrations for advertising clients. Her real talent was shown in art work she did for the former Roto magazine of the newspaper.

During those years she met more than a couple of prominent persons. She recalls that during her first week at the Beacon Journal John S. Knight came into her office to persobnally welcome her. She did advertising for Tony Bennett when he was at the Shortstop Inn on Exchange Street. Once when she was at an engagment of Nat King Cole, she went up to him and told him that he had just played her favorite song, “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes.” He looked at her and said, “I bet you’re a soprano. Let’s sing it together.” So she sang with Nat King cole.

When she left the Beacon Jouranl, Mary Lou joined Ralph Gross Advertising which was bought by a Cincinnati agency. She finally went into business for herself as Standiford and Ciborek. She was chosen Ad Person of the Year by the Advertising Club of Akron in 1985 and was earlier president of the club which was affiliated with the American Advertising Federation. She also spent 24 years coordinating the Community Club Awards on radio staion WNIR.

Mary Lou was married June 26, 1954 in St. Paul Church to Ted Ciborek, There were seven boys in the Ciborek family. His brother Tony was husband of Elizabeth Ciborek, a St. Paul parishioner.