Mrs. Mary V. Poole

Mary Virginia Poole (Pisciotta) Born August 5, 1929, in San Francisco, Passed away peacefully on March 29, 2017, at the age of 87 Predeceased by her parents Joseph and Anna, her son Michael, brother Anthony, and her aunt Grace. Survived by her sons Ron and Brian, brother Frank, grandchildren Lisette, Nick, Matt, and Alana, great-grandchildren Tony and Vincent, nieces Michelle, Diane, Rose, Frank, Kathy, and Ginny, cousin Annamarie, and many other relatives in Campobello di Mazara, Sicily Mary was proudly born in San Francisco in 1929. Anyone that knew Mary, knew that she loved to talk, perhaps from the time she was born. She would talk to anyone, anywhere, about anything. Sometimes it was hard to have a two-way conversation with her because she loved to talk so much. Her memory was impeccable to the end. She could recount minute details of memories from the time she was a child to present day: who wore what, said what, ate what. There were times we visited the Italian cemetery, and would do a gallery walk of all the relatives, close and distant, she knew them all and the stories that went along with them. She was also very proud to have worked for at the District Attorney’s office in San Francisco, retiring at 65, after 16 years. She loved and enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whether attending sporting events, birthdays, or picnics. The matching nightgown she made for Lisette’s (her angel) Cabbage Patch doll, was a treat. Mary was tough as nails. She raised three boys on her own, in a day and age when being a single mom was not an easy task. I think some of her happiest times were as a young woman. The care free days in the city, when life was much simpler. She would talk about going downtown to see performances, or star gaze, often times seeing movies stars and musicians. Once getting Frank Sinatra’s autograph. Mary really enjoyed her garden, especially her roses. She probably had 20 different varieties, and knew them all by name. She was a member of the Rose Club for many years, and often times went with her aunt Grace, who we only knew as Zia. Zia was her best friend, they could talk for hours. I always knew who she was talking to, because it was the only person she spoke Sicilian to. When Grace passed away, it was the end of an era, and a great friendship. She missed her so much. I hope they are together now, along with her parents, her dear brother Tony, who recently passed away, and dearest son Mike, whom we all deeply miss. 12 years ago, I took my mom to Campobello di Mazara, in Sicily, where her parents were born. Although we also travelled to Venice, Paris, and London, the best part of the trip for her was Campobello. It was one of her happiest times. I swear she would have been happy not going anywhere else. She talked to everyone, walked up and down the streets, there weren’t many, and got to see the homes her parents grew up in. We met with cousins, had dinner at their homes, drank homemade wine, had homemade olive oil, and toured the summer retreat of Tre Fontane. Quite an experience. I know mom is tending to roses somewhere. The day Mary passed, my brother and I were in the hospital room with her. He had brought a single rose from her garden, the only rose of the season, and very fragrant. He said, I don’t know if she can smell it. I said, let’s see. I held it up to her, spoke into her ear, and told her we were both there, and to relax and smell the rose. That was her last breath. Rest in Peace Mom, we love you.

Mrs. Mary V. Poole

August 5, 1929 - March 29, 2017