Mary I (Petrella) Barber

Mary I. Barber of Ravenna, Ohio, passed away Monday, September 30, 2019, at UH Portage Medical Center in Ravenna, Ohio. She was born July 21, 1928 to Augustino and Angiolina Petrella. Survivors include her brother Dino (Sandy) in California, children Steve (Mimi) Barber of Cleveland Heights, Dan (Cyndi) Barber of Salado, TX, Bill (Mary Beth) Barber of Ravenna, Lori Barbuto of Howard, Ohio, and Maryann Barber of Streetsboro, 8 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Sebastian Barber, her granddaughter Damara Diaz and great-granddaughter Juliana.   Besides her parents, she was also proceeded in death by her brothers John and Ed Petrella and sister Lydia Gatti. 

Along with being a full-time mom, Mary worked to help out the family.  Before she was married, she worked at the Portage County Courthouse in Ravenna where she met her future husband.  After they were married, she worked at Skorman’s Miracle Mart in downtown Ravenna, Esposito Insurance and finally 24 years as the school secretary at West Main School.  Over the years, a number of former West Main students and teachers have mentioned how much she meant to them during their school years. 

Mary was a long-time member of Immaculate Conception Parish and always strong in her faith.  She  enjoyed cooking, playing cards and family life.  She was known for her pizza, bread and homemade pasta.  While her husband made the meatballs, Mary made the homemade noodles and sauce for many family diners and holidays.  Pizza was a stable that family, friends and relatives looked forward to sharing.  Card playing was a passion and part of many family gatherings and nights with friends.  Mary and a number of friends played cards monthly continually for over 60 years.  While she was a very competitive card player, she really enjoyed the friendship and comradery over the years.

As her grandchildren and great grandchildren reminisce, they will always remember how her kitchen smelled on Sundays, the sight of baskets full of bread dough raising, Easter Bread, holiday cookies, especially pizzelles.  There was Pepino – The Italian Mouse, never leaving her house hungry, a rowdy card game at the kitchen table, and movies on rainy days. They will miss her sense of humor, her hugs, her pasta sauce, and her uncanny ability to always know if you were up to something. While they all have their own unique memories of her, all will remember how caring she was and the way she always made you feel like the most important person in the room.   Calling hours will be Sunday October 6, 2019 from  2-5 PM at the Shorts Spicer Crislip Funeral Homes Ravenna Chapel.  Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 AM Monday October 7, 2019 at Immaculate Conception Church with Father William Kraynak officiating.  Entombment will follow in St. Mary Cemetery Ravenna, Ohio.  Condolences and memories of Mary may be shared with her family at www.sscfuneralhomes.com.  In lieu of flowers please consider donations to University Hospital Portage Medical Center ICU or Hospice.

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