Obituary of Mary Lou Mastroe

Mary Louise Fishbaugh Mastroeof Endicott On July 20th, God peacefully welcomed Mary Lou home while on her 28th annual trip with her daughters. She was only two weeks shy of her 94th birthday. Mary Lou was born in Syracuse, New York on August 5, 1914 to Gertrude and Russell Fishbaugh. In 1933, she graduated from Nazareth Academy in Rochester, New York. She was predeceased by her husband of 50 years, Jack, in 1988; her infant daughter, Gertrude Ellen; and her brother, John Joseph Fishbaugh. She is survived by her six children, Patricia Ann and husband, Carl Giambelluca, Vass, North Carolina, Frances Faith and husband, Michael Tarby, Elmira, New York, John Russell Mastroe, Eaton, New York, Mary Louise and husband, Willard Pierce, Fayetteville, New York, Thomas James and wife, Carol Mastroe, Johnson City, New York, and William Edward and wife, Alison Mastroe, Homer, New York. Mary Lou was a very special grandmother to 17 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson living in New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Maryland, North Carolina and Massachusetts, all of whom will be attending the funeral to celebrate her life. Mary Lou loved visiting her family members in various locations and being with her children and grandchildren, as well as their pets. She was an avid reader and especially enjoyed mysteries and animal stories. Two of her greatest legacies were her strong faith and exceptional commitment to volunteering. As a member of Our Lady of Good Counsel Church for the last 59 years, she served as President of the Altar and Rosary Society, was a Lay Lector until 2006, a Eucharistic Minister until 2007 visiting homebound parishioners and those in nursing homes, helped to organize the original bereavement luncheons and served on many other committees in the parish. She was a founding member of the Ladies of the Knights of Columbus Auxiliary in Johnson City, New York, life member and past President of the P.T.A. of Jennie F. Snapp Junior High, active member of the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, a member of the Interfaith Counsel of Churches, past Vice-President of the New York State Legion of Mary, past Vice-President of Senior Citizens, past Treasurer of Visiting Nurses of Ideal Hospital, and served for many years on the Board of Elections of Broome County, and worked with the Central United Methodist Clothing Center. Others will remember her in the role as Mrs. Clause during many Christmas seasons. She was a loving friend to many people of all ages. The family appreciates their many loving kindnesses offered in return. Funeral services will be held Friday at 9:30 a.m. from the Coleman & Daniels Funeral Home, Inc., 300 East Main St., Endicott, and 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, where a Funeral Mass will be offered. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Johnson City. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Thursday from 4-7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to the Humane Society, 2 Jackson St., Binghamton, N.Y. 13903; or to the Maryknoll Missionaries, P.O. Box 311, Maryknoll, N.Y. 10545-0311; or to Moore County Literacy Council of Southern Pines, N.C. 28387.