Mary Speranza

Mary M. Speranza , age 95, of Inverness, FL passed away on February 14, 2017 at Highlands Place Assisted Living Center under the loving care of her family and Hospice of Citrus and the Nature Coast.   Mrs. Speranza was born on April 5, 1921 in Chicago, IL, the daughter of Gaetano (Thomas) Mondello and Guissepina (Josephine) Vacarro Mondello.   Mary served her country during World War II as a B-29 bomber parts inspector.   She also worked for the meat cutters union as an office assistant.  Mary moved to Citrus County in 1976 from Wheaton, IL. She was a member of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church for 41 years.  Mary had a delightful sense of humor.  She was known as the family’s peace maker who often said the three most important things in life were faith, family and friends.  She loved to cook and bake for her family.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband Samuel Speranza in 1996, four brothers, Samuel, Ralph, Phillip and Alfonso Mondello and two sisters Rose Bondi and Mary Mondello.  Survivors include her two children, Fr. Philip Speranza of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and Joanne Walker and her husband Larry of Inverness, FL; grandson, Eric Walker and his wife, Michelle of Kingston, IL; and two great grandchildren Heather and Hannah Walker of Kingston, IL.

Mary’s family will receive friends from 9:30 am to 11:30 am on Thursday, February 16, 2017 at the Heinz Funeral Home in Inverness, FL.  A Mass of Christian Burial will also be held on Thursday, February 16, 2017 beginning at 1:00 pm at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Inverness, FL.  Interment will follow at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL.  Heinz Funeral Home & Cremation, Inverness, FL.  heinzfh.com