Mary V. Leonelli

Maria (Mary) Santarpia Leonelli was born on August 5, 1931, to the union of the late Vincent
Santarpia and Josephine Lettieri Santarpia in Brooklyn NY. Mary passed away peacefully Sunday evening
Dec 11, 2022.
“Mary,” as everyone called her, enjoyed her life, and had a” heart of gold”. As a stay-at-home
mom, Mary enjoyed taking care of her family and was an amazing cook and baker known for her
infamous “Sour Cream Cake.” Mary worked as a seamstress before she married the late Anthony (Tony)
Leonelli, on May 29, 1954, the absolute love of her life. Tony served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean
War and was a butcher by trade. Together they built their life pioneering from Brooklyn to Long Island in
the early 1960’s. As a seamstress, Mary not only made her children’s clothes, but clothes for many other
members of the family, friends, and clients. Mary’s biggest accomplishment was making wedding gowns
and bridesmaid dresses for her daughters. She took pride in her work, was a perfectionist, and a true
artist.
Mary was a beautiful kind soul and loved all her family and extended family more than anything
in the world. Nothing made her happier than to be with any family member at any time. As a first-generation immigrant, she was the fourth of eight children. Mary was predeceased by her father
Vincent, Mother Josephine, brothers Fred and Joseph, sisters Theresa and Regina, and husband Anthony
(Tony). Mary is survived by her sisters Ida, Helyn, and Anna, her daughters Laura, Diana, and Patricia
(Husband Anthony her grandchildren Steven, (wife Margaux), Christopher, Catherine, (husband Craig),
Shayna, Gina, and Briana; and her great grandchildren, Dominic, Nicholas, Malea and Grayson. She also
had many nieces and nephews.
Mary was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend that will be
dearly missed but dearly remembered!
“God’s garden must be beautiful; He always takes the best.