Wasko Funeral Home

Campbell:  Funeral services will be held 9:30am Monday May 10 at the Wasko Funeral Home and 10am in St. Lucy Church for Mary C. Sferra, 80 who passed away May 5,
2010 at Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center in Toledo.
Mary Conti was born in Youngstown on September 8, 1929 the daughter of
Joseph and Josephine Berardi Conti.
Mary was a life-long resident of Campbell and grew up living above the
family grocery store, Berardi Food Market.
She graduated from Campbell Memorial High School in 1947. From an early age Mary had a great love of music especially opera. Mary played piano and was a trained dramatic
soprano. She was highly sought-out as a wedding soloist in the 1950s and
1960s. Mary imbued her passion for music upon her children and
grandchildren.
Mary graduated from Miami University of Ohio in 1951 with a major in
education and she received her Masters of Education from Westminster College
in New Wilmington, PA. Mary taught elementary school in the Youngstown and
Campbell school districts for 25 years. She also taught CCD and won the Pius
X award for her teaching. Mary was also very involved for many years in
Youth Ministry.
As an avid patron of the arts, Mary used her gift of teaching as a docent at
the Butler Institute of American Art and became active with the Women’s
Committee for Children’s Concert with the Youngstown Symphony. Mary also
ushered at the Symphony Center. Mary was proud of her Italian heritage and
celebrated it through the cooking and baking of Italian specialties and
through her membership in the Carovillesi Ladies Society. Her true calling,
however, came in service to her church, St. Lucy in Campbell. She was active
in many organizations including the Altar and Rosary Society, Infant of
Prague Guild, the Parish Council and Liturgy Committee.  She volunteered at the Spaghetti Dinner and was a Festival Volunteer for many years. Mary was a
proud member of the St. Lucy choir for 74 years, and served as a Eucharistic
minister.  Mary was also a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, an honorary society of women educators.
Mary was a voracious reader, master crossword puzzle solver and devoted
Jeopardy fan. Mary traveled extensively in the US and Europe and in recent
years enjoyed traveling to various casinos with friends.
Mary married Joseph J. Sferra on a blustery November 29, 1958 at St. Lucy
Church after a whirlwind romance. He preceded her in death in 1991.
Mary leaves to cherish her memory six children: Marilyn (Walter) Kenner of
Boardman, Dr .Joseph (Chrisann) of Toledo, Dr. Thomas (Jessica) of Oklahoma City,
OK, Michael (Tracy) of Chicago, IL, Richard (Susan) of Tampa, FL, and Jane
(Brian) Wildermuth of Dayton. She is also survived her beloved and musical
grandchildren Maria (piano) and Eric (flute) Kenner, Stephanie (soprano),
Joey (clarinet, composition) and Emily (alto) Sferra, Luke and Mark Sferra,
Sofia, Mari and Jaxon Sferra, Anthony (tenor sax) and Audrey (soprano)
Sferra, Rosemary (piano) and Annabel (piano) Wildermuth. Mary is survived by
her Uncle Jim Berardi (accordian) of Rocky Mount, NC. She is also survived
by in laws Louise and Ray Leone, Anne Sferra, Rosemary Sferra, Jim and Betty
Sferra, Ed and Marcella Sferra, Bill Sferra, Mary and Dan Santon, and
Virginia Klein as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Her dear friend Lucy
Cioffi also survives.
The family suggests memorial contributions to The Butler Institute of
American Art, the St. Lucy Church choir or to a charity of the donors’
choice.
The family would like to express their appreciation for the excellent and
compassionate care given to Mary by the medical, nursing, and pastoral care
staff at Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center.  A special thank you to all who
cared for Mary in the SICU, on 4A and the Palliative Care Unit.
Mary’s life was enriched by the love of her family and consistently guided
by her faith.
The Sferra family has entrusted their loved one to the care of the Wasko Funeral Home and will receive friends Sunday from 3-6pm.