Mariatana T. Salerno

MARIATANA T. SALERNO (nee Santora), aged 77 years, beloved wife for 31 years to the late Frank A., loving mother of Anthony Kenney (Rosa), Salvatore (Laurie), Gina Kenney Huber (Charles), Margaret Salerno, Paul Kenney, Anne Workman, Frank Jr., Tony (Adriana) and Mariatana del Rosario (Gary), devoted grandmother of Anthony Jr., Sara, Robert, Blazine, Michael, Nicolette, Emelie, Christian, Kade, Dawn, Frankie III, Joelle, Rianna, Rocco, Jude and soon-to-be Baby Lily, dearest great-grandmother, treasured daughter of the late Walter and Marie (nee Mangano) Santora, cherished sister of Fred Maher (Gail), Vince “Jimmy” Cardenas and Alice “Kelly” Cornell (Terry), fond aunt, grand-aunt, niece, cousin and friend to many. Member of Union Local # 310.

Mariatana (MaryAnn, Marie, Maria) was above all Mom. A dedicated, steadfast, fiercely loving mother to many children of multiple generations. She passed on her values of hard work, loyalty, generosity, strength, and resilience to her children as well as her joy, love of life, and ability to not take life too seriously. Work hard; play hard was her motto.

Mariatana held many different jobs throughout her life: hairdresser, waitress, owner of Salerno Construction Co., and laborer with Laborers’ Local 310. She was an amazing cook, enjoyed feeding her family, and making the holidays special. She loved practicing her Catholic faith, gardening, reading, and music. She adored Jackie Wilson, the Supremes and other Motown favorites, Billie Holiday and other jazz icons, opera and reggae. She had a great appreciation for art, poetry, and performance.

She had a wonderful sense of humor, an infectious laugh and a delight in watching her grandchildren grow up. She touched the lives of so many and adopted many friends into her family fold. Her giant heart had room for everyone, and she instilled a foundation of love and acceptance in her children for people of every race, creed and nation. The loss of Mariatana is felt so deeply, but her beautiful, amazing spirit lives on in the lives of her children and grandchildren, as well as the lives of everyone she touched.

Relatives and friends are requested to meet for the Mass of Christian Burial Monday, Nov. 11, 2019 at St. Paul Shrine (Euclid Ave. at E. 40^th St.) at 9:30 AM. Burial following in Lake View Cemetery. Family will receive friends to pay tribute and celebrate the life of Mariatana at THE DeJOHN-FLYNN-MYLOTT FUNERAL HOME OF SOUTH EUCLID, 4600 MAYFIELD RD. (just East of Green Rd.) SUNDAY 2-6 PM.