Mary Bottaro

East Hartford — Mary M. (Diana) Bottaro, 96, the wife of the late Samuel J. Bottaro, died on Saturday, June 24, 2017, at Hartford Hospital. Mary was born in Hartford, the daughter of Salvatore and Letitia (Rotondaro) Diana and lived in East Hartford since 1956.

Mary is survived by her sons, Richard Bottaro and his wife, Kathleen, of Niantic, Brian Bottaro and his wife, Charlotte, of Pawcatuck; her daughter, Roseann Williams of South Windsor; grandchildren Peter Williams, Keith Williams, Michael Bottaro, David Bottaro, Christopher Bottaro, Gregory Bottaro, Eric Bottaro, Nicholas Bottaro and Matthew Bottaro; 15 great-grandchildren; and her sister, Geraldine Bonnetti.

For more than 50 years she enjoyed all the picnics, excursions, card games and parties of the Bottaro Club, comprised of all her brothers and sisters-in-law, Joseph and Gloria Bottaro, Manny Bottaro and his late wife, Rose, Nina Catalano and her late husband, Salvatore, Virginia and Richard Asker, Carmel Battaglio and her late husband, Nicholas, Angelo Bottaro and his late wife, Alice, and Frank and Sophie Bottaro.

The matriarch of the family, Mary was happiest cooking Sunday spaghetti dinner for her ever-growing family. A familiar after dinner scene included husband Sam accompanying her on the organ while she sang “My Way” by her favorite, Frank Sinatra.

An excellent seamstress, she made 2-foot Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy dolls for each of the grandchildren as well as countless baby sweaters and crocheted slippers for friends and family. Her nine grandsons and 15 great-grandchildren were her pride and joy.

In her later years, most Fridays would find her at the casino, where the dealers knew her by name and where playing blackjack “kept her mind sharp.” While she loved her children and grandchildren, she had no problem beating them in family poker games, but would always redistribute her winnings at the end of the night!

While she will be greatly missed, she will always be remembered for her love of family and her strong spirit.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 28, from the John F. Tierney Funeral Home, 219 W. Center St., Manchester, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Christopher Church, 538 Brewer St., East Hartford, followed by burial at St. James Cemetery in Manchester. Family and friends may call at the funeral home from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

Memorial contributions may be made in Mary’s name to the American Heart Association, PO Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241-7005.

For online condolences please visit www.tierneyfuneralhome.com.