Mary A. Lerario

Mary A. Lerario (Notaro)
1928-2025
Mary A. Lerario (nee Notaro) died peacefully on June 6, 2025 at the age of 96 surrounded by all of her 8 children. Predeceased by her husband of 69 years, Anthony L. "Tony" Lerario. Loving mother of Noelle M. (John) Barbone, Anthony N., Mario J., Christopher P. (Lyn), Mary Grace (Jack) Weir, Annette (Tom) McKinlay, Gino (Jane Byrne) and Rosemary V. (William) Fox. Also survived by 11 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren, two brothers Mauro (Grace) Notaro and Gerald Notaro and many nieces and nephews.
Mary was born in Kelayres, PA and was one of 10 siblings. After high school she moved to Philadelphia and studied nursing at St. Lukes and Children's Hospital where she earned her RN and where she met her husband Tony. While raising their 8 children, Mary worked many evening shifts as a staff nurse at Albert Einstein Medical Center, Fitzgerald Mercy Hospital, an instructor in the LPN Program at the Philadelphia School of Practical Nurses, and at Harcum Junior College and Villanova University in the infirmaries. She practiced Real Estate for 10 years and then went back to her nursing career first as a staff nurse at the former Tri-County Hospital in Springfield, then for 13 years as the assistant supervisor of Nursing at Lankenau Hospital. After retiring, she spent 9 years as a Nurse Evaluator for the American Red Cross.
Her children and family were Mary's love and life, but her love for nursing came a close second. Whether she was in her "whites" working the halls at the hospitals, running to a neighbor's home to put a stitch in a knee or to help an elderly friend who had fallen or just needed someone to talk to, she never hesitated. She would always tell her children that before attending to every patient or staff member who needed her help, she would stop for just a moment, bless herself and ask God for guidance.
Mary's devotion to the Blessed Mother started in high school when she was asked to crown the Blessed Mother and from then on felt Mary's presence in her life. She was a devout parishioner of St. Dorothy in Drexel Hill, PA for close to 60 years which was the center of her community life. Her true home away from home.
Relatives and friends are invited to her viewing on Tuesday, June 10 from 5-7 pm and Wednesday, June 11 9-10 am at the Ruffenach Funeral Home, 4900 Township Line Road, Drexel Hill PA 19026. Her Funeral Mass will be Wednesday, June 11 at 1030am at St. Dorothy Church, 4910 Township Line Road, Drexel Hill PA 19026. Interment will be at Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations to St. Dorothy Church in Drexel Hill.
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