MaryAnn Cerbone

MaryAnn Cerbone was deprived of a last cigarette in the final days of her life, and decided it was time to hit the road. She left on July 20, 2024 from Powell, OH, at the age of 82. She was gifted to Carmine and Anna Cerbone on August 20,1941 in Brooklyn, NY. She is survived by her son (her favorite as she told us all as many times as possible) Robert Purzitza, who she said could sell you the Brooklyn Bridge, her Daughter in Law Gina, who she was a Mother figure to from when she was 13, and her Daughter Maria Stanis who she will remain annoyed at for never getting cards in the mail on time. She will reunite with her Daughter Lisa Reinstein aka “Sister Lisa” who also lived a passionate life, and her Son in Law Adam who she bickered with, just for fun, on a regular basis. She leaves behind her inheritance to the world of her Grand Children Isaiah, Joshua, Danielle, Lillian (who watched over her Granny in her final years), Carmine and Joseph; as well as her Great Grand Children Rocco, Enzo, and Warren. This yenta, only child, grew lifelong friendships that became like family to her. Honorable mentions to Camille and Janet for sticking with this fiery Italian from Kindergarten until they passed. If you hear the faint sound of music and laughter; that’s coming from the party they’re having now, doing the Lindy Hop. This proud basketball player graduated from Andrew Jackson High School where she got in trouble, more times than one can count, for talking too much in class. She went on to model for the Army in New York City and after having her three children worked with many doctors on Long Island where she was adored by the patients. This decaf coffee addict loved music, shopping and baseball. She would go out dancing and danced in the house daily until her knees betrayed her and wouldn’t allow it. She loved singing and going to concerts saying that Tina Turner was the best show she saw. She had music playing from the time she woke up to the time she went to bed. This self-proclaimed shop acholic and clothes horse was always dressed to the “nines” and if you weren’t she would say you looked “shangad” or a mess. She was always prepared with an extra shoe in the car to switch into so she wouldn’t scuff the back of her heel driving. She loved shopping so much that when Home Shopping Network came out she put them on speed dial and made arrangements with her UPS driver to hide the packages from her Mother being able to see delivered. Her love of clothes was only overshadowed by her generosity, taking on the role of her Father, being known to give you the shirt off her back. “Mair” would tell stories about going to see the Brooklyn Dodgers with her father, and was devastated, like everyone else, when they moved to Los Angeles. Being the trooper that she was, she carried on, and adopted her new favorite team, The Mets. If they were playing, she was watching enthusiastically (to say the least). This comedian was one of the funniest people you could have known. She made it her job to make you laugh. She was a fantastic conversationalist coming close to making The Guiness Book of World Records for the most time spent on the phone in a lifetime. This spitfire woman made friends everywhere she went including the memory care facility she was recently at. The former wooden spoon wielder got in trouble within the first month for planning a “prison break” with part of her crew. She was always up to something. This, often cursing, devotee had strong faith in Jesus, continually prayed and was always reminding people to pray too (and take their vitamins)! MaryAnn had a green thumb, with what should have been award winning African Violets, and wouldn’t want anything, except you remembering her by planting a Gardenia bush (her favorite flower) in your yard. She was a clean freak and would be happy the air smells fresh. This Grand Master, 500 Rummy players’, last request was to have her ashes scattered, in the Blue Ridge Mountains, along with her beloved, and completely spoiled, dog Gabbrini’s ashes. This quick-witted beautiful soul will be missed by many but remember the music. She’s dancing again.

MaryAnn Cerbone

August 20, 1941 - July 20, 2024