Mary J. Mari

Mary J. Cardani Mari, age 86, of Dover, passed away peacefully Thursday morning, April 26, 2012 in New Dawn Retirement Center, where she had been a resident for the past seven years.

A daughter of the late Antonio and Rosie D. (Besozzi) Cardani, Mary was born September 19, 1925 in Wainwright, Ohio.

She attended Wainwright School and on April 29, 1950, Mary was united in marriage with her late husband, John J. Mari who died on April 17, 1998.

Together, they were active members of St. Joseph Catholic Church at Dover. Mary was also a past member of St. Joe’s Senior Citizens.

Throughout her life Mary dealt with a great deal of adversity. She met each new challenge with a positive attitude and pressed forward. Late in life, she became a double amputee and learned how to walk with two prosthetic legs. Her attitude about being an amputee became a source of comfort and inspiration to others she met who were faced with the same situation.

She was most importantly a loving mother and grandmother. Her talents included crocheting baby afghans and knitting.

Mary will be deeply missed by her daughters, Patty (Tim) Knisely of New Philadelphia and Brenda (Jerry) Burton of Zoarville; her granddaughter, Holly Knisely of Lakewood; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins.

In addition to her parents and husband, Mary was preceded in death by her son, John A. “Johnny Boy” Mari, and her brother, Louis Cardani.

Visitation will be held in the Geib Funeral Center at Dover, 5600 North Wooster Ave., Dover, on Sunday April 29, 2012 from 2:00 – 5:00 PM with a Christian Wake Service beginning at 5 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be concelebrated by Father Matt Hoover and Father William Arnold on Monday, April 30, 2012 at 10 AM in St. Joseph Catholic Church. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery at Dover.

Friends are invited to return to the Geib Funeral Center’s Hospitality Suite where a meal will be shared following the burial.

Grateful for the care and attention Mary received while at New Dawn, the family wishes to extend gratitude to those who made her last years so very special.

Memorial contributions may be directed to St Joseph Catholic Church, 613 North Tuscarawas Ave, Dover, Ohio 44622 or to the charity of the donor’s choice.