MILLBROOK – Mary Velletri, 92, beloved wife of Albert J. Velletri, died on Wednesday, December 7th in Palm Bay, Florida.
Born in Poughkeepsie, NY on August 19, 1924 she was the daughter of Charles and Pauline Gallucci. On October 21st, 1973 Albert J. Velletri and Mary Gallucci were married in Pleasant Valley, NY at St. Stanislaus Church.
Mary was a graduate of the Poughkeepsie High School and worked for Smith Brothers in Poughkeepsie as an Office Manager until it closed. She then worked as an office manager for Jim Waters. Following her marriage to Bert, put her skills to work keeping Bert’s business affairs in order and he always credited her for her skill in doing so. “Mary takes care of that” was a comment he frequently made.
Mary was a parishioner of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Pleasant Valley for many years. At a later time, after her marriage she became a member of Grace Church in Millbrook.
Together with Bert, Mary was a volunteer driver for Meals on Wheels in Millbrook. A long-time member of the Millbrook Golf Club, Mary and Bert enjoyed many rounds of golf together. Mary was an avid completer of cross word puzzles and in her later years, a Ph. D. could not out do her at Jeopardy.
Mary was a devoted wife to Bert and being his wife was her most important role in life. As the oldest sibling, she was a life-long big sister to her brothers, George and Charles and her sister, June. Mary was a kind and gracious aunt and cousin to all of her nieces, nephews and cousins in both the Gallucci and Velletri families. Every single one of them attest to a woman who always greeted you with a great smile and was always thankful for a visit, a meal shared or the smallest gift.
Mary was predeceased by her sister, June and her nephew, Charles “Chuckie” Gallucci. In addition to her brothers, George and Charles, she is survived by her devoted sister-in-law Doran, her Gallucci nieces and nephews, Brian (Cindy) Gallucci, Celeste (Mike) Bowker, Candace (Richard) , Suzanne (Lane) Pipkin. Blair (Anita), Paula and Alan Southwell and several grand nieces and nephews. Mary is also survivaed by her sister-in law, Barbara Velletri and her Velletri nieces and nephews, Louise Velletri and Richard Velletri (Carolyn), Judy Velletri (Susan Gregory), Joseph Velletri, III (Kathleen) and Joanne Velletri of Millbrook; and grand-nephew, Joseph Velletri, IV and the Rotunno girls next door, Rita, Teresa and Fran.
Funeral services will be on Wed. December 14th at 1pm at Grace Episcopal Church, Millbrook. Interment will be at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Millbrook with her beloved Bert. Memorial Donations may be made in Mary’s memory to her long time Millbrook neighbor, Cardinal Hayes Home, Millbrook, NY.
