Mary Mercadante

Mary Mercadante of Parkside passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 29, 2023.

She was the daughter of the late John and Kathryn Plasko.

Mary was born in Tuscarora, PA and moved with her family to Tamaqua, PA. She left Tamaqua when she was 15 to live with her Aunt Anna and Uncle Bert.  This was during World War II when she took a job as a welder at the Shipyard in Chester to help with family expenses.

After that she worked as a waitress in Chester where she met the love of her life, Michael Mercadante, whom she married in 1949.

She continued in food service working for Penn Delco School District, Aramark Services, and found time on the weekends to work for Spitz Catering Company. She loved being a part of new beginnings for so many starting their journey in marriage. Mary finally retired at the young age of 80. This is when her passion for bingo began.

She was the Heart and soul of the family.  She was a wonderful mother who always put her family first and was the epitome of a fierce protector.  Her grandchildren meant the world to her, and she was always available, whether it be for a hot meal to comfort you or a loving ear to listen to and never judge.  Although Mary was a quiet soul, her strength and perseverance always rose to the occasion and her positive outlook on life never wavered.  She saw the goodness in everyone and everything and when things got tough, she turned to her faith and love in God to help her move forward.

Along with loving to work, Mary loved to cook and was the master of Italian cuisine.  She loved country music and if you walked into her house, you could easily find her dancing to her favorite Garth Brooks song.  She’d usually grab your hand and make you dance with her.   She always had a smile on her face and everyone that knew her loved her.

Mary was predeceased by her husband, Michael Mercadante. She is also predeceased by her brothers and sisters; Jack Plasko, Joseph Plasko, Helen Seader, Kathryn Yusella, Joan Kast, and Anna Plasko.

She leaves behind a son, Michael Mercadante Jr. (Marie) and a daughter Michelle Sellari (Joe); three grandchildren, Dawn Abukasis (Eyal), Michael Mercadante III (Patricia) and Jillian Boname (Kayla); and 5 great-grandchildren Simon, Devon, Jordan, Sofia and Gabriela.

She will also be fondly remembered by Dana Schultz, Hedda Caldwell, Chrissy Sciarra, and Nikki Szymanski.

Funeral mass Wednesday 11am at Our Lady of Charity Church, 231 Upland Rd., Brookhaven, PA, 19015. Viewing Wednesday 10-11am at the church. Burial will be held privately. Arrangements made by the Bateman-Allen Funeral Home, Brookhaven, PA.

Online condolences can be sent via www.batemanallenfuneralhome.com