Mary C. Pillarella

PILLARELLAMary C. (nee Caccese), age 87, on January 29, 2018 of Shannondell formerly of Newtown Square, PA.Predeceased by her husband Robert L., her brother, Frederick D. and her sister Anna C. Kruse.Survived by her children Susan P. (Ed) Magargee, Mark R. (Kirstin), and Lisa P. (Tim) Kennedy, her 10 grandchildren, her brother- in- law Conrad Kruse and her sister-in-law Mary Caccese.Relatives & Friends are invited to her Viewing Saturday Morning 9:15 -10:45 AM and Funeral Mass 11:00 AM at St. Katharine of Siena Church, 104 S. Aberdeen Ave., (Rt. 30) Wayne, PA 19087. Interment Calvary Cemetery.In lieu of flowers contributions in Mary’s memory may be made to Villa Maria Academy at www.vmahs.org/support or Malvern Prep at www.malvernprep.org/ or Devon Prep at www.devonprep.com.Mary C. Pillarella ObituaryMary C. (nee Caccese), age 87, on January 29, 2018 of Shannondell formerly of Newtown Square, PA.Predeceased by her husband Robert L., her brother, Frederick D. and her sister Anna C. Kruse.Survived by her children Susan P. (Ed) Magargee, Mark R. (Kirstin), and Lisa P. (Tim) Kennedy, her 10 grandchildren, her brother- in- law Conrad Kruse and her sister-in-law Mary Caccese.Mary was the third child of Italian immigrants, Frederick and Assunta Caccese. She was born at Methodist Hospital in South Philadelphia. Mary had an older sister, Anna Kruse and older brother Frederick Caccese, who she admired throughout life. Her father was the owner of Caccese Tile Mosaic Company in West Philadelphia where she spent a lot of time doing office work. She moved to Havertown and attended Haverford Township High School, graduating in 1948. She went on to study French, Spanish and Italian at Rosemont College and graduated in 1952. Mary worked at Wyeth corporate offices as a medical translator for many years. In 1959, she married Robert Pillarella and moved to Newtown Square. She raised three children and was active in the Parents’ Associations of Villa Maria Academy, St. Aloysius Academy and Devon Prep- running many concessions, fashion shows, dinner dances and post- Christmas Eve Midnight Mass breakfasts. She enjoyed her monthly neighborhood bridge parties, events at Overbrook Golf Club, and hosting gourmet dinner parties into her 70’s. She was an excellent cook and all loved her homemade lasagna, pizza, fruit cakes and pizzelles. When her children were grown, she returned to work at her alma mater, Rosemont College in the Admissions Office. She enjoyed her class reunion weekends and also visiting with her many cousins. When her husband died, Mary moved to Shannondell where she quickly assimilated into the social scene there and enjoyed running into former classmates, friends. and friends of friends. Family, education and spirituality were of the utmost importance to Mary and she instilled the respect for these in her children and ten grandchildren. She stayed in very close contact with them, visiting with them often. She was always interested in what they were doing and proud of their successes. The highlight of her life was being surrounded by people, celebrating holidays with family, and attending all of her grandchildren’s school functions. Through the Grace of God, she was able to attend two grand-daughters’ weddings this past year- something she was very excited about. Although, she struggled with medical issues over the past 6 years, she always had a smile on her face when she saw you. On the morning that she died, she had a smile on her face and asked about her grandchildren and said “give my love to all”! Relatives & Friends are invited to her Viewing Saturday Morning 9:15 -10:45 AM and Funeral Mass 11:00 AM at St. Katharine of Siena Church, 104 S. Aberdeen Ave., (Rt. 30) Wayne, PA 19087. Interment Calvary Cemetery.In lieu of flowers contributions in Mary’s memory may be made to Villa Maria Academy at www.vmahs.org/support or Malvern Prep at www.malvernprep.org/ or Devon Prep at www.devonprep.com