Mary R. Rodriguez Calabrese

Mary R. Rodriguez Calabrese

Mary R. Rodriguez Calabrese, 93, of Erie, passed away Saturday, November 18, 2017 at Saint Vincent Hospital following a brief illness.

She was born in Erie on March 23, 1924, a daughter to the late Manuel and Soledad Arajuo Rodriguez.

Mary graduated from Academy High School in 1942. She was a member of St. Andrew Parish for 64 years. Over the years, she was active as a teacher's aide and in the PTA. She was a Girl Scout troop leader, a member and past president of the St. Andrew Ladies Guild and volunteered at their Food Pantry for many years. She traveled with her husband to many World War II Submarine Vet reunions across the country. She was in a bowling league until the age of 90, and played in a bocce league at La Nouva Aurora society for more than 30 years, including this year.

In addition to her parents she is preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Joseph L. Calabrese; a son, Michael J. Calabrese; two brothers, Jack and Domingo Rodriguez; and three sisters, Frances Earley, Charlotte Gownley, and Billie Rediger.

She is survived by a daughter, Mary Grace Umpleby (Ken Gamble); and a son, James Calabrese (Marcia) all of Erie; three sisters, Jennie Ludwig of Erie, Betty Orendorff and Shirley Yeatts, both of York, PA; and one brother, Albert Rodriguez (Hettie) of Kennesaw, GA; five grandchildren, Lisa Lubak (Doug), Lori Mraz (Gregg), Emily Killian (Matthew), Janine and John Calabrese; five great-grandchildren, Mia and Ava Lubak, Robert, Madelyn and Charlotte Killian. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Friends may call at the John R. Orlando Funeral Home, Inc., 2122 Raspberry Street, on Tuesday from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. and are invited to a service there on Wedneday at 1:30 p.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Andrew Church, 1116 West Seventh St., at 2:00 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Andrew Food Pantry, 1116 West Seventh St., Erie, PA 16502 or to the Erie City Special Olympics, 1330 West 8th St., Erie, PA 16502.