Mary Drago Daleo, 88, of Beaumont, died Sunday, May 7, 2006 at Christus Hospital St. Elizabeth. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
A native Texan, Mary was born on November 9, 1917 in Port Arthur to Andrew and Nicolena Drago. She was one of five daughters. She married Jake Joseph Daleo on January 17, 1937 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Beaumont; they were married for sixty-eight years.
Mary is survived by her two children, Jude Joseph Daleo and his wife Paula of Lumberton; daughter, Mary Ann Fontana and her husband Salvador of Houston; grandchildren, Jude Daleo of Beaumont, Andrew and Amy Daleo of Grapevine, Juliana and Keith Pilcher of Plano, Paul and Patricia Daleo of Orange, Maria Fontana Magee and Joseph of Spring and Victoria Fontana Smith and Andrew of Houston; great grandchildren, Matthew Daleo U.S.M.C., Nicole, Kathryn, Paul, Jr., Laura, Monica, James and David Jake Daleo all of Orange.
Mary’s parents, Andrew and Nicolena Drago; her husband, Jake Daleo; and sisters, Vita Drago, Lena Grafagnino, Rose Oddo and Ann Daleo preceded her in death.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 11, 2006 at St. Anne Catholic Church with burial to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont. A gathering of family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a Rosary at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 10, 2006 at the Mortuary.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to St. Anne Catholic Church, 2715 Calder, Beaumont, Texas 77702-Mary’s parish for many years.