Obituary of Mary Cestaro
Mary Cestaro was born July 4th 1930, in Coney Island, Brooklyn to Joseph and Anna Astarita. And a real firecracker she was!
She entered this world at Coney Island Hospital, and exited the same place the morning of March 27th 2024 to be with the be Lord.
Raised in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn and living in Brooklyn all of her 93 years, Mary skipped a grade in grammar school and was a graduate of Prospect Heights' Girls and Boys High School. She was the first of her siblings to graduate from high school. Mary held several jobs (including the old 5 and 10 store right here in Sheepshead Bay), before and after marrying Salvatore in 1952, here at St. Marks. She had three lovely daughters, became a grandmother of two boys and a great grandmother of two children. She was also a beloved aunt of many nieces and nephews.
Mary devoted most of her life to caring for and raising her daughters, who all attended St. Mark Grammar School. Being of Italian descent, she loved to cook and share her most famous dish: linguine with white clam sauce. Mary was fun loving. She loved to dance, and was given the nickname "Mambo Mary." Naturally, she passed this hobby down to her daughters. They can attest to that! She came from a musically inclined family - the Astaritas - and dabbled at the piano herself. Mary enjoyed the big band music of Glen Miller, and frequently danced the Lindy.
She was a huge Frank Sinatra fan and a Bobby Soxer in the 1940s. As she got older, she enjoyed watching classic movies, classic cartoons, and keeping up with the news and current events. Recently, she became an Associate Member of the Varuna Boat Club and joined the Knights of Columbus as a "Columbiette," always supporting community events. She's also a member of the Rosary Society at St. Marks.
As we celebrate her journey, we remember that she had a way with words, always making people laugh and making them feel good about themselves. A true extension of the kind of person she was, a loving, inspiring supporter of anyone in need, who never expected anything in return. She raised her children to give their very best at all times, to never give up hope but to accept reality, and to be good, faithful Catholics.
Mary leaves a legacy and was truly loved by everyone.
Her life can be summed up in the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson:
To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people and
the affection of children;
To know even one life has breathed easier because you
have lived -
This is to have succeeded.
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Mary Cestaro, age 93, of Brooklyn reposed Wednesday, March 27, 2024.Mary was born July 4, 1930 in Brooklyn, NY. She is the daughter of the late Joseph and the late Anna Astarita. She was the beloved widow of Salvatore Cestaro. She is survived by her three daughters: Louise Atsaves, Maria Cestaro and Raffaela Cestaro . Beloved sister of her late brothers Neil Astarita, Anthony Astarita and Frank Astarita and beloved sister of her late sisters Katherine Frigiano and Theresa Cianciotta. Mary was the cherished grandmother of Nicholas and George Atsaves and grandmother-in-law to Catherine Atsaves and dear great grandmother to George and Giuliana Atsaves.
Visitation will be Friday March 29,2024 from 4:00 P.M.- 8:00 P.M.
Burial will be in Saint Charles Cemetery, Farmingdale on Saturday, March 30 at 12:00 P.M.
To send a floral tribute please contact Floral Fantasy at 718-238-6978.
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