Mary DiCrescenzo, 94, of Newtown, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 21. She was surrounded by her loving family as she joined her husband, Peter DiCrescenzo; her son, Camillo DiCrescenzo; and her daughter, Vetty DiCrescenzo, in eternal rest.

Her absence has left an immense hole in the hearts of those whom she left behind. To all who knew and loved her, Mary will forever be remembered as a warm-hearted, selfless, and determined motherly figure.

Daughter of Pantelone Della Penna and Laura Stenta, Mary was born in November 1926, in Pretoro, Italy. Her older brother, Giuseppe Della Penna, died fighting in the Second World War. In 1954, Mary wed Peter DiCrescenzo, and they had five children together. In 1956, due to difficult times in Europe, Mary and Peter picked up their family and bravely immigrated to America, where greater economic and social opportunities awaited them.

Once in America, Mary and her family settled in New Canaan, Conn. Providing for her family and being self-sufficient were very important to her. As such, Mary went to work right away as the head cook of Town Restaurant in New Canaan. A decade later, she began working as the cook for the rectory of Saint Aloysius. Mary spent several years there until she started working as the head caretaker of the Woolworth residence. By the time of her retirement, she had been employed by the Woolworth family for more than 30 years.

After retirement, Mary spent the bulk of her time doing what she enjoyed most: spending quality time with her family. As the dedicated matriarch, she always made sure to provide love and support to all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She also enjoyed baking, traveling, playing cards, and keeping in touch with new and old friends — both locally and back home in Italy.

The church was also a top priority in Mary’s life. From the time that she worked at the Saint Aloysius rectory until moving to Newtown in 2016, she belong to the Catholic Daughters charitable organization. She and her fellow service members would host feasts for the Saint Aloysius congregation, sponsor social events for students with special needs, and provide financial and other assistance for single mothers and the needy.

Mary leaves behind her son, Angelo DiCrescenzo, and his wife, Mary Joyce, of Brookfield; her daughter, Josephine Hansen, and her husband, Richard, of Bethel; her son, Rocco DiCrescenzo, and his wife, Cheryl, of Brookfield; her daughter-in-law, Celeste DiCrescenzo, of Bethel; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mary was predeceased by her husband, Peter DiCrescenzo; her son, Camillo DiCrescenzo; and her daughter, Vetty DiCrescenzo.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 am on Monday, July 26, at St Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church in Newtown. Interment will take place in Lakeview Cemetery in New Canaan immediately following the service. Family and friends may pay their respects from 9 to 10 am on Monday at Honan Funeral Home in Newtown.