Mary (Filippetti) Markey

After a valiant 23-year battle against ovarian cancer, Mary Filippetti  Markey passed away on Saturday, February, 22, surrounded by her daughters and four granddaughters.  Predeceased by her beloved husband, Stephen ("Steve") Markey, devoted mother of Lisa (William) Zolga of Raynham, MA; Catherine Gentilucci of Laurel, MD;  Stephen (Tamara) Markey, III, of Bel Air, MD; Deborah (Edward) Kelly of Glenelg, MD; and Christina (David) Gregory of New Market, MD; loving grandmother ("Mamma") of Michael, Jennifer, Mary, and William (Zolga); Krista, Nicole, and Dante (Gentilucci); Ann, Tara, and Bradley (Markey); Gregory, Rachel, Ashley, and Kyle (Wilkinson); and Brayden, Camden, and Cade (Gregory); and great grandmother ("Grandmamma") of Raelyn .  She is also survived by her brother, Louis Filippetti, and her sisters, Helen Preti and Nancy Sharland; her brothers-in-law, Anthony Ghelfi and Jack Morast; and sister-in-law, Terri Filippetti.  She was also predeceased by her sisters, Rosalie Ghelfi and Frances Morast and brother Richard Filippetti.

Born in Whitman, MA, on September 22, 1936, Mary was the eldest of Caesar and Virginia Filippetti's seven children.  She attended St. Patrick's High School in Brockton, MA, and graduated as the Valedictorian of Stonehill College when she was only 20 years old.  She spent more than 40 years teaching high school English, the majority of which were at Parkdale High School in Riverdale, MD.  

Always the entrepreneur, she ventured into several businesses over the years.  She and Steve opened Filippetti's Italian Gourmet on Main Street in Laurel, where she and Steve spent many hours preparing and selling homemade Italian meals, Mary's specialty.  She was an amazing cook!  In 1993, she and her daughter, Deborah, opened Honey Bear Day Care & Learning Center where she was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to spend her days with her daughters and grandchildren for 16 years. Through this experience, she was able to make a lasting impact on hundreds of children and their families who were a part of the Honey Bear community.

Mary was devoted to her faith and the Catholic church.  She was an active member of St. Mary of the Mills in Laurel, MD, where she served as a lector for over 40 years.  She also volunteered as a Sunday School teacher, was a member of the Ladies of Charity, and served on the school board at St. Mary's School.

She was a founding member of the Antonio Gatto Lodge of the Order Sons of Italy in America and held various elected positions over the years.  She was also a proud member of the Massachusetts Society of Washington, D.C.  

Mary displayed immense passion in every aspect of her life, whether it be her faith, teaching, seeking out new experiences, or constantly reminding those around her to not take life too seriously. She listened to other peoples’ opinions, though she would always insist that hers were correct.  Her greatest passion was spending time with her children and grandchildren, whether making homemade tortellini and raviolis, going to plays and Andrea Bocelli concerts, attending their sporting events, helping with their schoolwork, traveling (and sometimes even planking when traveling), and so much more.  She will forever be in our hearts.

Visitation will be held at the Donaldson Funeral Home, 12540 Clarksville Pike, Clarksville, MD. 21029, on Thursday, February 27, between 2 - 4 and 6 - 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, February 28, at St. Mary of the Mills Church, 114 St. Mary's Place, Laurel, MD  20707.  Interment will immediately follow on Friday in St. Mary's Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, those desiring may make memorial donations in her memory  to the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance, PO Box 32141, New York, NY 10087-2141 or donations@ocrahope.org.

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