Mary J. Padula

April 12, 1934 - July 11, 2024

Mary Josephine Padula was born to Rafael Padula and Lucia Bucci in Pescolanciano, Italy on

April 12, 1934. Mary was the sister to Domenico Padula (Filomena) and Micheal Padula (Rosa).

After completing her mandatory schooling in Pescolanicano, she attended and graduated from

the House of Design in Rome, Italy in 1954, followed by coming to the United States in the

Spring, 1955 where she met her husband, Angelo Padula, and they married on October 16,

1958.

Mary and Angelo had 3 children, John (Katie), Anthony (Paula) and Mary Lucy (Paddy) who she

valued and were present to as a mom while continuing her love of fashion design; having her

own private clients for whom she designed and was their seamstress. Mary's husband passed

suddenly from a massive heart attack in November, 1976, and she was left with her three teens

whom she continued to raise as a single parent. Her faith and dependence on God allowed her

to remain strong and focused as a parent, while having to return to full time work. Amidst all

the trials and struggles, she lived the joy and fun with her children. She always said, "I really

enjoyed raising my children." She was a woman of great faith, strength, and resilience.

After her children were grown and all moved from their childhood home, Mary lived as a single

woman, continuing her passion in fashion design as a bridal design consultant for Bridal and

Formal, a drapery designer for Montgomery Wards Custom Draperies, and designing/creating

space suits for NASA at Euclid Garments until she retired. Post her first retirement, she then

went to work until the age of 74 for her eldest son, John, who owned Padula's Body Shop, the

business her husband Angelo began.

In 1990, Mary met Adolph Putaturo, a man she new as a child in Italy. Adolph had 4 adult

children (Nicoletta, Rita, Vince, and Mary). Mary and Adolph married in June, 1998, embracing

each other's adult children, and enjoying their lives and love for each other through to Adolph's

death in June, 2013.

Mary lived a full life, always enjoying meeting people, talking with people, and listening to

people's lives and stories. Mary always felt free to speak her mind and voice her approach to a

situation. Her faith and relationship with God and her family always came first in her life. She

was a woman of deep faith, prayer, wisdom, care, compassion and strength, and who loved

learning. This she passed on to her children, grandchildren, and all those whom she came into

contact.

In her later years she enjoyed creating jewelry and sharing it with those who lived in assisted

living centers, crocheting and sewing blankets for those who lived homeless, and had a special

place in her heart for those she termed " special children", those with outward developmental

and intellectual disabilities. In these last years of her life, she loved taking rides in the car,

sitting in the sun on the front porch, and sharing in conversation with those who came to visit

with her. People and good conversation were a great joy for her.

Mary was preceded in death by her husbands Angelo and Adolph, her brother Domenic and

nephew Ralph. She is survived by her adult children, John, Anthony (Paula), and Mary Lucy

(Paddy); her grandchildren Gabriella, Sarah (Zach), Angelo, and Padraigin; her brother Michael (

Rosa) in Pescolanciano, Italy), sister- in - law, Filomena (Domenic), and numerous nieces and

nephews, grand nieces and nephews across the United States and in Italy.

Mass of the Christian Burial will take place at St. Eugene's Catholic Church on Monday July 15 at 11:00 A.M.

with calling hours at the church for the hour preceding Mass.

In lieu of flowers, please make donation/ checks payable to: MCCD-Cleveland (Midwest

Council for Children with Disabilities) at 23818 Cooper Turn, Olmstead Falls, Ohio 44138.

Mary and her family would like to thank ALL who supported them these 18 months through

presence, prayer, and care in these last months of her life. A special thank you to Megan, Judy,

Hailey, Scott, and Wayne (our in home team of Hospice of the Western Reserve), Stacey,

Melissa, Misty and Heather (The Hospice of the Western Reserve nurse, CNP, and nurse

assistants that journeyed with us this last week of Mary's life), The Medina Unit of the Hopsice

of the Western Reserve team, the main office, triage team, and volunteers at the Hopsice of the

Western Reserve for their compassion, support, knowledge, guidance, wisdom and presence.

May you be blessed one hundred fold for your ministry.