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Mary DeRenzo
1925 - 2025
BORN
1925
DIED
2025
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Mary DeRenzo Obituary
Mary DeRenzo
October 8, 1925 - November 20, 2025
Miami, Florida - Mary Lee Welch DeRenzo peacefully slipped away on November 20, 2025, at the age of 100, in Vero Beach, Florida. She was a loving wife to Anthony DeRenzo (Tony), who preceded her to heaven, and a forever mom to her two daughters, Carol McMillan, husband James and Lisa Kaloostian, husband Douglas. She also experienced the joy of being a grandmother to one granddaughter, Nina Sencial.
Mary was born in Joplin Missouri, in 1925, the only girl to John and Louise Welch. She was soon joined by two brothers, John (deceased) and Loren Thomas (Bud) both of whom were deeply cherished.
Mary and Tony met at Redings Mill Pool, (during WWII), where she was employed during the summer after graduation from Joplin High. They married soon after and when Tony was deployed to Europe, Mary found employment performing secretarial work at Camp Crowder in Neosho, Missouri where Tony was stationed. When the war ended, they settled in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where Tony's large Italian family were living. This is where Mary learned the art of Italian cooking from several of Tony's sisters. The skill of preparing delicious Italian meals in addition to baking from scratch, would last a lifetime. After several years, Carol was born, and six years later, the DeRenzo family moved to Miami. Four years after moving, daughter Lisa was born.
During Tony's life, Mary was employed by Coca Cola Bottling Co. and The Merchandise Mart. After Tony's death, she was employed at the law firm of, Russo, Allen and Baker, in Coral Gables, Florida, as an accountant/bookkeeper. It was during this time that Mary pursued her passions: education and ballroom dancing. She attended college at Florida International University, where she graduated with a Bachelors Degree in History and a second Bachelors Degree in International Relations. She learned ballroom dancing and participated in numerous competitions. While on this journey she met Morris Gerson. They became close friends and dancing partners. They traveled together to Europe many times. They truly enjoyed being together until Morris passed away.
Life moved on. Mary, now in her mid-eighties, moved from Miami to Sebastian,Florida. She continued her ballroom dancing until it was no longer practical. She faithfully pursued her gym routine (exercise was another passion) and maintained a healthy lifestyle. Eventually she settled into an independent, peaceful life enjoying the nature that surrounded her. She always made sure that the wild animals were fed. Even the lizards were not overlooked…they had to have fresh water daily. Mary's real obsession was with cats. She always had a beloved pet cat or two or three.
It is impossible to condense Mary's life (or anyone's life) into a few short paragraphs. Therefore think of a flower…a tight bud which continuously opens until it blooms so big that it can no longer open any larger…it has inspired, delighted and enhanced the lives of those who experienced it. Mary will be deeply missed.
A gravesite service will be held for Mary at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Cemetery, in Doral, Florida on Monday December 1, 2025 at 2:00. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to ASPCA, Humane Society and Miami Rescue Mission.
October 8, 1925 - November 20, 2025
Miami, Florida - Mary Lee Welch DeRenzo peacefully slipped away on November 20, 2025, at the age of 100, in Vero Beach, Florida. She was a loving wife to Anthony DeRenzo (Tony), who preceded her to heaven, and a forever mom to her two daughters, Carol McMillan, husband James and Lisa Kaloostian, husband Douglas. She also experienced the joy of being a grandmother to one granddaughter, Nina Sencial.
Mary was born in Joplin Missouri, in 1925, the only girl to John and Louise Welch. She was soon joined by two brothers, John (deceased) and Loren Thomas (Bud) both of whom were deeply cherished.
Mary and Tony met at Redings Mill Pool, (during WWII), where she was employed during the summer after graduation from Joplin High. They married soon after and when Tony was deployed to Europe, Mary found employment performing secretarial work at Camp Crowder in Neosho, Missouri where Tony was stationed. When the war ended, they settled in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where Tony's large Italian family were living. This is where Mary learned the art of Italian cooking from several of Tony's sisters. The skill of preparing delicious Italian meals in addition to baking from scratch, would last a lifetime. After several years, Carol was born, and six years later, the DeRenzo family moved to Miami. Four years after moving, daughter Lisa was born.
During Tony's life, Mary was employed by Coca Cola Bottling Co. and The Merchandise Mart. After Tony's death, she was employed at the law firm of, Russo, Allen and Baker, in Coral Gables, Florida, as an accountant/bookkeeper. It was during this time that Mary pursued her passions: education and ballroom dancing. She attended college at Florida International University, where she graduated with a Bachelors Degree in History and a second Bachelors Degree in International Relations. She learned ballroom dancing and participated in numerous competitions. While on this journey she met Morris Gerson. They became close friends and dancing partners. They traveled together to Europe many times. They truly enjoyed being together until Morris passed away.
Life moved on. Mary, now in her mid-eighties, moved from Miami to Sebastian,Florida. She continued her ballroom dancing until it was no longer practical. She faithfully pursued her gym routine (exercise was another passion) and maintained a healthy lifestyle. Eventually she settled into an independent, peaceful life enjoying the nature that surrounded her. She always made sure that the wild animals were fed. Even the lizards were not overlooked…they had to have fresh water daily. Mary's real obsession was with cats. She always had a beloved pet cat or two or three.
It is impossible to condense Mary's life (or anyone's life) into a few short paragraphs. Therefore think of a flower…a tight bud which continuously opens until it blooms so big that it can no longer open any larger…it has inspired, delighted and enhanced the lives of those who experienced it. Mary will be deeply missed.
A gravesite service will be held for Mary at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Cemetery, in Doral, Florida on Monday December 1, 2025 at 2:00. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to ASPCA, Humane Society and Miami Rescue Mission.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by the Miami Herald from Nov. 28 to Nov. 30, 2025.
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