IN MEMORIAM: Mary D. Birdsall, 100;

In First Graduating Class At St. Mary’s

ONEONTA – Mary (Danzi) Birdsall, 100, a member of the first graduating class of the former St. Mary’s School in 1929, passed away March 15, 2016.  An independent woman, she lived on her own until age 97.

Mary was born on July 3, 1915, to Antonio and Donata (Civita) Danzi.  She grew up in Oneonta, and was predeceased by all eight of her brothers.  After St. Mary’s, she attended Oneonta High School, graduating in 1933.

Singing since seventh grades, she was a member of St. Mary’s Church and of its choir.  She also did solos at the church for weddings and funerals, and participated in several musicals in the community.

During World War II, she worked at Bendix Scintilla in Sidney, where she met her husband C. Albert Birdsall.  They were married May 26, 1946, and were married 47 years before his death in 1993.

Mary worked as a receptionist at Dr. Ferdinand Perrone’s office until she became a mother. Mary had four children, and she devoted her life to raising them.  Mary was predeceased by her son Arthur.

Mary was a president of the American Legion Auxiliary 1555. Mary enjoyed gardening to make the world more beautiful and keeping busy by making crafts and quilts.  Mary loved cooking to feed family and friends; it was the most important way she showed love.

At 97, she she moved in with her daughter Donna and family, filling their home with rainbows, butterflies and adventures.

She is survived by daughter Donna (Patrick) Thrush; son Francis (Annette) Birdsall; daughter Helen (Tom) Zimniewicz; daughter-in-law Jane Birdsall; granddaughters Tara Harvey, Jessica and Bill Wolfrom, Margaux and Rishi Nair, and Hannah Birdsall; grandsons Robert and Angel Birdsall, William and Erin Birdsall, Adam Haney; great grandsons Alexander Birdsall, Anthony Harvey; and great granddaughter Harini Nair.  Mary is also survived by several nieces and nephews and a special thanks to niece Beth Sienkiewicz for the years of loving support.

In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her son Arthur and and grandson Thomas.

Calling hours are 5-7 p.m. Monday, March 21, at the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, 14 Grand Street, Oneonta.

The funeral mass will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 22, in St. Mary’s Church, Oneonta, with Rev. David Mickiewicz , officiating.  Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery, Otego.

Memorial donations may be sent to St. Mary’s Church in Oneonta, or plant something to make the world beautiful in her memory.

Condolences to the family may be made online by visiting our website: www.grummonsfuneralhome.com

Arrangements are by the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home of Oneonta.