Mary Jane Bordonaro

Mary grew up in Cleveland and lived just a few blocks from her future husband, she attended John Adams High School and excelled in gymnastics where she was captain of her team.

Mary went to work after graduation and went part time to Cleveland State University.  She was chosen “Home Coming Queen” in 1952 and was The Belle of the Ball.

Mary met her future husband at a John Carroll dance and felt that excitement of love quickly.  Her father approved because Joe was Sicilian and had sensible plans.  They married at her home parish of St. Dominic by Father Gallagher and celebrated a traditional reception with more than a hundred friends and family.

Mary and Joe purchased a home on Winslow Road and lived in the same home for 60 years.  Mary became active in the ladies Guild of St. Dominic and St. Michael.  She loved dancing, a love which they both shared.  They took ballroom and square dance lessons, danced with Buckeye Squares of Lake County and for the next 30 years met friends all over Cleveland.  Mary and Joe were avid RV’ers and danced in places like Las Vegas, California and Florida.

They celebrated their 25^th anniversary on a Caribbean cruise and years later went on another cruise to Greece and Turkey.  They travelled in Europe and met relatives with (parente) in Palermo, Sicily.  Most memorable was dancing at the Font Magica in Barcelona to Tchaikovsky’s “Waltz of the Flowers”.

Mary had five children and when asked, what did you do with your life? She could have responded, “I raised five wonderful children”, a testimony of a full and wonderful life.  After more than 60 years of marriage, Mary lived peacefully at her home and shared precious memories with her husband.  No longer dancing here but will dance to the Lord’s tune in Paradise.