Mary T. Proia

Our beloved mother, Teresa Maria “Mary” Lombardo Proia, 84, passed away peacefully with her loving family by her side, on Wednesday, April 7, 2010, in the Washington Hospital, following a lengthy illness. Mary resided with her daughter and family in Canonsburg. She was a lifelong member of Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church in Washington. She was born August 15, 1925, in Pittsburgh, a daughter of the late Frank Lombardo and late Josephine Lucatorto Lombardo. Mary attended Washington High School. Throughout her lifetime, she worked at numerous establishments doing what she loved best, cooking. Mary was well known for her phenomenal baking and Italian cuisine. The joy of her life was spending time with her children and grandchildren. She loved casinos, gambling and bingo, and was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan. On April 28, 1946, in Washington, she married Arthur J. Proia, Sr., who died February 20, 1988. Surviving are four sons, Rocco Proia of Littleton, Colorado, John (Barbara) Proia of Venetia, Joseph (Kathy) Proia of Washington and Octavious Charles (Angela) Proia of Mt. Lebanon; one daughter, Mary Beth (Carroll) Cole of Canonsburg; 13 grandchildren, Stacy Proia (Chad Piotrowski), Jennifer Cole Bailey (Tony), Jessica Proia, Heather Cole Beta (Ilir), Jackson Proia, Maria Proia, Kandyce Proia, Noel Proia, Jessica Mineo, Nato Rose, Anthony Proia, John Proia and Lauren Cole; four great-grandchildren, Madison Bailey, Angelina Proia, Isabella Piotrowski and Amber Bailey; an aunt, Clara Lucatorto Keeling; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, Mary was preceded in death by two sons, Arthur J. Proia, Jr., and Frank A. Proia, and her only sister, Florence Lombardo Sonson. Friends will be received Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., in William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Monday, April 12th, in Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church, Washington. Interment will follow in Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Washington. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, 960 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3822