Mary Jo Cervero

Mary Jo Cervero Mary Jo Cervero went to be with her Lord on March 16, 2009. After a long bout with several ailments, she is now at peace with the Prince of Peace and joins so many loved ones who preceded her in death. “Jay” was the youngest of the “Cutri” family, of Erie, that was filled with five brothers, two sisters, a great number of wonderful cousins and a colorful fusion of personality, love and faith. Her parents were courageous immigrants from Calabria, Italy, that both passed away while Mary was still a young girl. In 1946, Mary Jo met a young Merchant Marine named Joseph Cervero at an Italian Pentecostal Church in Erie. After a year of courting and “passing the test” of an Italian family, Joe and “Jay” married on August 16, 1947. Their marriage of 41 years sadly ended when Joe died after prolonged battles that accompanied his severe diabetes. During those last years, Mary Jo remained a faithful and loving wife in spite of all the challenges of nursing an infirmed spouse. Joe died in September 1988. As is the case in so many families, Mary Jo gave much of her love, resources and energy as a mother. You could not talk to Mary very long before she would give you long accounts of the lives of her two children: Karen Jackson, of Cinnaminson, N.J., and Tony Cervero, of Ventura, Calif. Not having known her natural mother, Mary did all she thought possible to nurture, love and supply all the needs for Karen and Tony with the limited budget that she and Joe earned. To add to the mix, the Cevero home also included Mary’s oldest brother, Gabriel “Bill” Cutri. “Uncle Billy” was just part of the family. The Cervero children were raised in Erie. After years of schooling, they both entered the ministry as pastors of Assembly of God Churches. Karen married Rev. Paul Jackson. They founded and currently pastor Calvary Temple in Delran, N.J. Mary Jo moved to New Jersey in 2002 and was an active part of Calvary Temple for the last few years of her life (until she became very ill). Tony married June (Renner) in 1991 and lives in Ventura, Calif., where they pastor First Assembly of God. Mary is also blessed with four grandchildren and one great-grandchild (who are the joys of her life): Kelly Mayberry, husband, Ray, of Cinnaminson, N.J., and Annabella, Anthony, and Isabella Cervero, of Ventura, Calif. Her great grandson is Kross Mayberry, of Cinnaminson, N.J. Mary Jo’s hometown will always be Erie. She was born, raised, went to school and graduated from Strong Vincent High School in 1944. Over the years she worked at various places but retired in 1998 as a teacher’s aide from Tech Memorial High School. After retirement she valued being a faithful member of First Assembly of God. Mary was a sincere, loving, giving and kind person who had a warm smile and tender heart. Her life had many trials and challenges â€" but she found the love, courage and strength needed in her faith and personal relationship with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Today we rejoice because we know that she is now with Him in glory. Mary is preceded in death by her parents: Anthony and Mariangela Cutri; her husband, Joseph Cervero; her brothers: Gabriel Cutri, Joseph Cutri, Pete Cutri, Louis Cutri and Nino Cutri; her sisters: Mary Bongiorno and Susan Lombard; and several close cousins and relatives. Friends are invited to call at the Brugger Home for Funerals, 1595 West 38th Street at Greengarden Blvd on Saturday from 11 a.m. until the time of a service at 1 p.m. Burial will follow in Erie Cemetery. Condolences at www.bruggerfuneralhomes.com Sign the guestbook at www.GoErie.com/obits