Mary Gloria Madia Redmond, 95, of Morgantown, passed away peacefully to the world beyond on July 10, 2022, at her second home, The Village at Heritage Point.
Mary was born Feb. 9, 1927, at Saint Vincent Pallotti Hospital in Morgantown to Pasquale and Bettina Audino Madia, originally from San Giovanni in Fiore, Cosenza, Italy, and Reggio, Reggio Calabria, Italy, respectively. She was the youngest of four children.
Mary was a 1944 graduate of Morgantown High School and met her husband-to-be, James “Jim,” an Army Air Force cadet from New York City, on the WVU campus in 1943. Following Jim’s training in Morgantown and deployment and service in World War II, the couple married in 1947. They resided in Columbus, Ohio and East Orange, N.J. until returning and settling in Morgantown. They enjoyed 60 years of marriage until Jim’s passing in 2007.
Mary grew up in the Greenmont section of Morgantown. She lost her father at just one-year-old and drove her mother crazy until meeting Jim, who changed her life forever. Mary was a proud member of the local Italian community and never missed a chance to proclaim her Italian heritage.
Mary enjoyed work in banking for a period of years, took time away to raise a son and then found her true calling as a school secretary with Mon County Schools. She worked for more than 20 years in the offices of Second Ward Elementary, Morgantown Junior High and South Junior High. She loved the students, especially her office aides, and keenly favored many of the wayward young souls who found their way to the office bench.
In her later years Mary became a fixture of the community at The Village at Heritage Point. She thoroughly enjoyed the comradery, fellowship, shared activities and easy lifestyle that were offered there.
Mary was predeceased by her parents; husband; sister, Katherine “Katie” Tarsitani Hollandsworth; sister, Terrasima “Theresa”; nephew, Charles Hollandsworth; nephew, Mark Madia; and niece, Cynthia Hollandsworth Vaglienti. She is survived by her son, James “Jay” and his wife Cindy, of Morgantown; granddaughter, Hayley Hardin, husband Brock and great-grandson James, of Kalamazoo, Mich.; and granddaughter, Hannah Redmond and fiancé Bronson Hilburn, of Chicago. She is also survived by her brother, Salvatore “Sam,” of Clarksburg; nephew, Victor Madia, of Morgantown; great-nephew, Anthony Vaglienti, of Morgantown; and great-nieces, Shelly Hollandsworth Glass, of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Angela Hollandsworth, of Sterling, Va.
Mary was fond of jewelry, flashy clothes, animals of all kinds, popcorn, Coca-Cola and anything Italian. She was a reliable critic and spoke her mind, gaining admirers — and detractors — along the way. She was delightfully flawed, which endeared her to many. A true character by any measure, few ever forget an encounter with Mary Redmond.
The family would like to sincerely thank all the present and past employees of Heritage Point for their help, care and concern throughout Mary’s many years of life at the Village, with special thanks to Morgantown Hospice for their exceptional kindness and assistance during her final days.
Mary lived a long and wonderful life and will be remembered as a devoted wife, supportive mother and proud grandmother. Her unique spirit and distinctive ways will be sorely missed.
Friends and family may visit to share fellowship and refreshment at Hastings Funeral Home, 153 Spruce St., Morgantown, from 4 p.m. until the time of the service at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 16, with Pastor Rich Schimansky officiating. Family committal will take place at East Oak Grove Cemetery.
Flowers are appreciated, or donations can be made to Animal Friends of North Central West Virginia, P.O. Box 1090, Dellslow, WV 26531, or via the website www.animalfriendswv.org.
Condolences:
www.hastingsfuneralhome.com
