Mary Fioritto

Mary Fioritto (nee Di Michele), age 91, beloved wife of the late Beniamino (Benny), loving mother of Jeanette Kaiser (husband Andrew), Nancy Fioritto Patete (husband Anthony) and Pamela Fioritto, dear aunt of Patrick DiMichele, devoted grandmother of Pete Sylvester (fiance Kim Wheeler), Robin Whitsell (husband Sean) and great grandmother of many. Beloved daughter of Saverio and Edvige (nee Ianiro) Di Michele (both deceased), loving sister of Alfonso Di Michele (deceased).
In just a few weeks mom would have turned 92 years old. You haven't seen her for pretty long while. As you know, she was afflicted with dementia. It began appearing many years ago not long after our father Benny died. We could tell the difference in her even ten years ago.
Almost two years ago, we placed mom in an assisted living facility, Light of Hearts Villa, a beautiful Catholic home away from home. There she would be safe and still have the comfort of her faith. Her faith was most important to her. One of the last public expressions she could make was the liturgy of the Mass and Holy Communion. I observed this about her with a kind of admiration. Her dependence on God was nothing we ever talked about. But I came to understand that when I started taking her here to Sunday Mass.
At Light of Hearts she had a life, believe it or not. Not one I would choose for myself. But who am I to choose? Mary was everyone's favorite at Light of Hearts. I think just about each caregiver there, when there was that chance to take us aside, would say in a kind of whisper, "You know, she's my favorite. I really love Mary."
Responding to that lovingkindness was hard for me. They loved Mary but that wasn't mom. Or was she?
The week before Mom died, she was transferred to hospice, the Hospice of the Western Reserve. As Pam and I were moving a few of her things to E. 185th, we'd meet up with the staff at Light of Hearts, all kinds. We'd tell them what we were up to. Down to a person, their eyes filled with tears. Mary was leaving them.
What was this about mom, mom as we could possibly remember her and the Mary she became these long last years of her life? I might disagree with mom, but not with her sweetness. She was kind and generous. She never tired of us her family. Never not appreciated her blessings. She couldn't hold onto anger and grudges. She couldn't be cynical if she tried. I think she believed life was too good to her. She loved our country. She cherished her lady friends .She had enough, more than enough. She opened herself to prayer. She would hold your hand and never let go. Especially as mom became Mary.
It's not difficult to be with someone like this. I learned throughout this devastating disease that her true nature never left her. God sort of beckoned her. She died quietly in her sleep, a favor I constantly prayed for. The lovingkindness she received after all was the same that she gave. If she could speak here today, she'd thank you from the bottom of heart for having her in your hearts.