Mary Ann Morelli

Mary Ann (Baldino) Morelli, 78 years old, a resident of the Raddison, NY community, passed away on Tuesday, June 24, 2025.
Mary Ann is survived by her husband of 58 years, Joseph A. Morelli, Sr., her son Joseph, daughter Michelle Ann, grandsons, Michele (Mike) Madonna and Giovanni (Gio) Madonna and brother-in-law, Patrick Morelli. She is predeceased by her parents, Anthony and Helen (Shaver) Baldino and her brother Rocco.
Mary Ann graduated from Central Technical High School where she was awarded All-City Band honors playing the clarinet. Among many different business positions, she greatly enjoyed being the "Bank Lady". In this role she visited Syracuse schools making presentations teaching children the basics of money management. She retired from Dy-dee Linen Service where she met her dear friend and "sister" Elaine.
She loved telling her stories. How she met her future husband at the State Fair, their first dance and how she responded when he asked for her phone number. "Well, if you're really serious, you can look it up in the phone book". Yes, the phone book! Spoiler Alert: Joseph looked it up and made the best call of his life.
Another favorite was when she was sitting at work sobbing. Seeing Mary Ann crying, a co-worker asked what's wrong. Mary Ann's maid-of-honor pulled out at the last minute. The co-worker said, "I'll do it"! Mary Ann said OKAY! They left work that day not knowing each other's names! That's how Mary Ann met her lifelong friend Diane.
She traveled the world with her husband. His work took them to London, Paris, Athens, Amsterdam, Mexico City, Rio de Janeiro and Sydney. They lived part time in Buenos Aires, Argentina for seven months and Sao Paolo, Brazil for a year and half. An avid shopper, it was rare when a shop owner in these cities didn't know her by name.
Mary Ann was always the optimist ready to raise others up. She never put herself first. If she got a hint that a family member was in need of something, it magically appeared. Sometimes what was needed was a hug and a smile, an infectious smile that would light up the room.
Always a strong person, it was never more evident than during her battle with cancer. At each stage, despite being robbed of so much physically, she never conceded an inch. Whatever came her way was nothing but a small speedbump. She would start each day with a smile telling Joseph "I'm so happy!" and asking him "So what are we going to do today?" His reply "Anything you want to do". She never allowed her dignity and zest for life to be comprised, and her inner and outer beauty shined ever so brightly. And through it all, it was still her family first, herself second. She was an inspiration to family, friends and virtually everyone she met.
To my loving wife:
Mary Ann, my love for you is unwavering, unbreakable. No challenge or setback could diminish it. You are my treasure, my blessing, my lover, my amazing woman, and yes, as you so often reminded me, that first and foremost you were "My Girl". I was so blessed that God brought you to me. Our separation is only in this temporal world. My final prayer is that we are united again in the afterlife for all of eternity.
And so "My Girl", know that I fell in love with you from the very start and will love you forever.
"Your Guy", Joseph.
A funeral Mass in celebration of Mary Ann's life will be held on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, 10:30 A.M., at Blessed Sacrament Church, 3127 James Street, Syracuse. Family and friends may call from 4:00 – 6:00 P.M. on Monday, June 30, 2025, at the THOMAS J. PIRRO JR. FUNERAL HOME, 3401 Vickery Rd (corner of Buckley Rd), N. Syracuse, NY. She will be laid to rest in Woodlawn Cemetery Mausoleum.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Francis House, 108 Michaels Ave., Syracuse, NY 13208 and/or the Upstate Pediatrics Hematology and Cancer Clinic, 750 E. Adams St., Syracuse, NY 13210

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