Mary J. Prete

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Mary Josephine Prete, 62, of West Hartford, on March 15, 2026.

Mary was born in Hartford on May 2, 1963, to Thomas and Carmella Prete.

In Irish Catholic culture, those with Down Syndrome, like Mary, are often referred to as "angels", gifts from God. Mary was our family's angel. She was our gift from God.

Although Mary was mostly non-verbal, she had no problem expressing herself. When you walked into a room that Mary was in, she would jump up and down with glee and greet you with a hug that kept on giving. Mary had an infectious joy of life and unconditional love for everyone. She loved music, dancing, bowling, wearing colorful bracelets and beads and eating anything chocolate.

Mary is survived by her sister Jeanette Krane and husband Damon, sister Christina Anderson and husband Bill, and brother Anthony Prete and wife Leyva. She also leaves her nephews, Matthew and Joseph Dwonszyk and nieces, Jessica Wallace and Autumn Prete.

Our family is forever grateful to Mary's HARC family for their love and care throughout the years. We would especially like to thank Deborah De Vivo, Patricia Devonish and Brenda Bartlett, for their special assistance with Mary's needs.

Relatives and friends are invited to celebrate Mary's life with calling hours at the Duksa Family Funeral Homes at Newington Memorial, 20 Bonair Ave., Newington on Friday, March 20, 2026, from 9:30 am to 10:30 am, followed by her funeral service at 10:30 am. She will be laid to rest directly following the service in Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery, Bloomfield. Memorial donations may be made to HARC, 900 Asylum Ave., Hartford, CT 06105 or www.harc-ct.org. To share a memory or condolence, please visit us at www.duksa.net.