Mary Ann Mastro

Our blessed treasured Mom, friend, mentor, inspiration, teacher, spiritual warrior, and most importantly of all, a natural storyteller, Mary Ann Mastro passed away on August 12, 2023 in Southwest Florida where she was able to spend several years with her family. Before she left us, she celebrated her 80th birthday on June 9th with her loving family and friends.

Daughter of the late Amerigo John “Miggsy” and Bridget Barbara Loretti of Dunmore, Mary Ann was a graduate of Dunmore Senior High School, Class of 1961 and was a member of the National Honor Society and Yearbook Committee. She then went on to graduate from the former Marywood College in Scranton in May of 1965 with a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Secondary Education and a minor in Social Services.  While completing her studies at Marywood, Mary Ann served as a student teacher at Saint Paul's School in Scranton and later became a substitute teacher at South Scranton Junior High School from 1965-1977. Afterward, she served as office and sales manager of Hope Chest in Scranton, a family business, but in 1981, she returned to education, and was a teacher at Saint Anthony’s School in Dunmore, followed by transfer to Nativity Church School in Scranton, the LaSalle School in Dickson City, and lastly to the LaSalle School in Jessup from where she retired in 2017. During this time, she graduated from the Veteran Teacher's Program in 1988 with a certification in elementary education, and a master’s degree equivalency in 1995 through the state of Pennsylvania, and teacher internship 1998.

Mary Ann loved her family, friends, teaching, work, neighbors, students, and fellow teachers among others. Her desire and devotion to teach the children about the Love of God was so sincere, uplifting, and crucial to her everyday life.

Her dedication to her profession and joy of teaching remained strong throughout her entire life’s work.  She most enjoyed assisting in prayer groups, communions, confirmations, volunteering with missionaries, and all paramount meanings and messages of Jesus.

She will be missed terribly. Mary Ann made an impact on every person she met. There is no shortage of people who recognize her for all the good she’s done for them and others. She always had a good story to tell and many little and big ears to listen. Mary Ann was a remarkable woman and will be remembered for generations to come.

She is survived by a daughter Lisa Vellela Olsen and son-in-law Ken, and a son Tom Vellela and wife Michele, all of SWFL; granddaughter, Shelby Vellela Schossland and husband Ricky, grandson Andrew Vellela and granddaughter Diana M. Vellela; as well as her sister Carolyn and brother-in-law Vince Palermo, Dunmore.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband Thomas Vellela, Sr. in 1991 and her second husband Horace John Mastro in 2011.

The funeral will be Friday from the Carlucci-Golden-DeSantis Funeral Home, Inc., 318 E. Drinker St., Dunmore, with Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. in St. Anthony of Padua Church, Smith St., Dunmore.  Interment to follow in Dunmore Cemetery.

Family and friends may pay their respects on Thursday from 4-7 p.m. at the funeral home.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.