Mary L. Chiappetta
March 20, 1929 ~ August 26, 2020
Mary Chiappetta died peacefully on August 26, 2020 of natural causes at Arlington Hospital Center in Virginia at the age of 91. Born Mary Lynne Cassano in Brooklyn, NY on March 20, 1929, she had a full young life growing up in New York City.
As a child and young adult she enjoyed riding horses in Central Park with her sister Lee, shopping with her mother, watching her father conduct his real estate business, and above all visiting with family during many day trips and vacations to the surrounding areas.
Mary took a job as a secretary at The Equitable, an insurance company in Manhattan, where she met her husband Robert N. Chiappetta of Kenosha, Wisconsin. As luck would have it, they sat next to each other at the office in the early 1950’s and after meeting, would have breakfast together each morning. They hit it off and painted the town red regularly; going to Broadway shows was a fond memory that she would recount often in her witty manner.
After Bob returned from service in the Korean War, they were married in 1954 and remained devoted to each other until Bob died in 2016. Their daughter Ann Elizabeth, currently of McMinnville, Oregon, was born in October 1963 and was the apple of her parents’ eyes. Their early days with Ann in The Bronx were filled with play, shopping, and singing, though Mary was renowned for her inability to carry any kind of tune.
Mary and Bob moved from The Bronx to Purchase, NY in Westchester County where they lived for years until relocating for Bob’s business to McLean, VA in 1978 where they built a house and saw Ann through school. To Mary’s great joy, her grandson Carter Joseph was born to Ann in 1999 and she played the role of doting grandmother with aplomb.
Devout Catholics, Mary and Bob were dedicated members of St. Luke’s Catholic Church in McLean for more than forty years. At St. Luke’s they made many lifelong friends, with whom they enjoyed drinking coffee after mass, going to dinner and events, playing cards, and traveling. Mary could befriend people with ease and they had many other devoted friends that they met throughout their lives.
Mary’s extended family is spread across the country with a strong presence in New York, Virginia and the Midwest. She is survived by her sister Lee, her daughter Ann (Ed Matthews), her grandson Carter, a dozen nieces and nephews, more than 25 great nieces and nephews, and dozens and dozens of great, great nephews and nieces.
Mary had a tender spot for animals, especially dogs. She particularly loved her two English pointers Alix and Rocky who could do no wrong. Mary cooked for them and it is rumored that the dogs ate better quality steak than she fed her husband. Mary’s father Giuseppe (Joseph) used to say that the dogs ate “better than the pope.”
St. Luke’s Catholic Church in McLean Virginia will hold Mass for Mary Chiappetta on Saturday, September 12, 2020 at 11am, with visitation beginning at 10:15am. For those who cannot attend in person, the service will be livestreamed at
https://youtu.be/fu4sJJumjXo .
As a child and young adult she enjoyed riding horses in Central Park with her sister Lee, shopping with her mother, watching her father conduct his real estate business, and above all visiting with family during many day trips and vacations to the surrounding areas.
Mary took a job as a secretary at The Equitable, an insurance company in Manhattan, where she met her husband Robert N. Chiappetta of Kenosha, Wisconsin. As luck would have it, they sat next to each other at the office in the early 1950’s and after meeting, would have breakfast together each morning. They hit it off and painted the town red regularly; going to Broadway shows was a fond memory that she would recount often in her witty manner.
After Bob returned from service in the Korean War, they were married in 1954 and remained devoted to each other until Bob died in 2016. Their daughter Ann Elizabeth, currently of McMinnville, Oregon, was born in October 1963 and was the apple of her parents’ eyes. Their early days with Ann in The Bronx were filled with play, shopping, and singing, though Mary was renowned for her inability to carry any kind of tune.
Mary and Bob moved from The Bronx to Purchase, NY in Westchester County where they lived for years until relocating for Bob’s business to McLean, VA in 1978 where they built a house and saw Ann through school. To Mary’s great joy, her grandson Carter Joseph was born to Ann in 1999 and she played the role of doting grandmother with aplomb.
Devout Catholics, Mary and Bob were dedicated members of St. Luke’s Catholic Church in McLean for more than forty years. At St. Luke’s they made many lifelong friends, with whom they enjoyed drinking coffee after mass, going to dinner and events, playing cards, and traveling. Mary could befriend people with ease and they had many other devoted friends that they met throughout their lives.
Mary’s extended family is spread across the country with a strong presence in New York, Virginia and the Midwest. She is survived by her sister Lee, her daughter Ann (Ed Matthews), her grandson Carter, a dozen nieces and nephews, more than 25 great nieces and nephews, and dozens and dozens of great, great nephews and nieces.
Mary had a tender spot for animals, especially dogs. She particularly loved her two English pointers Alix and Rocky who could do no wrong. Mary cooked for them and it is rumored that the dogs ate better quality steak than she fed her husband. Mary’s father Giuseppe (Joseph) used to say that the dogs ate “better than the pope.”
St. Luke’s Catholic Church in McLean Virginia will hold Mass for Mary Chiappetta on Saturday, September 12, 2020 at 11am, with visitation beginning at 10:15am. For those who cannot attend in person, the service will be livestreamed at
https://youtu.be/fu4sJJumjXo .
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There are so many good memories of Great Aunt Mary! One of the things that I admire the most about her is the way should would develop close relationships with people – even her doctors. When I needed a dermatologist or dentist, she would talk about how wonderful her specific doctor was. She would know their whole family background and had deep affection for them. When I did take her advice and go to these doctors, I found that they also had deep affection for Mary and Bob. Even Uncle Bob’s cardiologist remembers them warmly! There was a personal connection that most people don’t have with their doctors. Aunt Mary was also very sharp! She could remember small details, the lists of medicines that had been tried, and was able to talk in depth about a wide variety of topics. She was very open about her own life and her stories were humbly presented and so fascinating. Her warm personality attracted many friends as well. She would come to as many family gatherings as she could. I remember she and Bob once came super early to a party that we hosted. They easily jumped into conversation with other guests as they arrived. It was wonderful to have them so engaged in our lives. I loved spending time with Aunt Mary, hearing her stories feeling the warmth of her love for others. She will be dearly missed. Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. + Patty Whelpley
When I think of Mary I remember her always with a smile and a laugh. She was attentive and caring when she listened to someone. I have fond memories of her and Bob from when I lived in VA. Mary was a wonderful friend to my mother. I’ve attached a picture of the 3 of them at Festa Italiana in Washington, DC 2002. My sincere condolences to Mary’s family and friends.
A candle was lit for the decedent.
So sad to hear of the passing of my good friend Mary Chiappetta. My prayers are for Mary and her family at this time. I will keep in my heart my happy memories of Mary and Bob in MCLean, VA. We met at St. Luke’s where Mary and Bob were good practicing Catholics. Rest In Peace Mary and Bob!✝️ We miss you. Sarah Ann LoFaso