Marie I. (Piovoso) O'Leary

Marie I.  (Piovoso) O’Leary was born April 12, 1952, and passed away on September 1, 2019, after a brief but valiant fight against pancreatic cancer.  Marie’s husband and sister kept careful vigil with Marie during her last days quietly praying with her.  Marie was the daughter of the late Agnes (Iannucci) Piovoso and the late Fred Piovoso.   Marie grew up in New Castle and was a proud graduate of University of Delaware.  

Marie is survived by her beloved husband of over 30 years, Michael O’Leary, and by her only sister and best friend, Betty Piovoso.   Marie is also survived by her husband’s family including countless nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews who love and miss her very much.

Marie had a kind and gentle spirit.  Marie was the first to volunteer to help and the last to seek any credit.  Her love, passion, and commitment to her husband, sister, co-workers, patients, and friends was beyond measure.  Marie was selfless, quiet, gracious, warm, brave, and humble.  Her strength and unparalleled love for all was evident in how her husband and sister spoke of her. Mike frequently told Marie she was the wind beneath his wings silently lifting him to grand heights and always kept him soaring through life.  Betty and Marie were not just sisters but best friends and shared their lives filled with loving memories. 

When Marie heard her diagnosis, she spent her last days before going to the hospital making sure the two loves of her life, her husband Mike and her beloved sister and best friend Betty, were taken care of.  So many people were grief stricken to hear about Marie’s passing.  Each person talked of Marie’s ability to make everyone feel good and welcomed.  Her grace, strength, kindness, and “servant’s heart” defined her life.  Marie was a positive inspiration to so many.  Marie and her sister took care of their mom and when their mom passed, they shared their loving memories of “Mom” Piovoso.  It was easy to see they both took after their mom.    Marie often cooked Italian meals as taught by her mom so very long ago.  Marie and Betty are a tribute to a mother’s love. 

Marie and Mike met and fell in love and got married.  They spent their lives in service of others.  For decades, Mike was able to work with those most in need by volunteering with Sojourners’ Place where he was able to dedicate time, funding, and counseling, to others due in large part to Marie’s support of his passion to help others.  Marie was a nurse and often worked with very ill patients to ensure they received the highest level of kindness and care.   Marie was a breast cancer survivor and lived many decades cancer free before her last battle with pancreatic cancer. 

Marie was an earthly angel unaware and all the lives she touched were blessed by her heavenly spirit.  She will be dearly missed.

Family and friends are invited to pay their respects at the Doherty Funeral Home 3200 Limestone Road, Pike Creek on Saturday September 21, 2019 with public visitation from 9:30 to 11:00AM and services immediately following.  Friends and family are invited to celebrate Marie’s life from noon to 3:00PM at the Old Country Buffet across from Christiana Hospital on Churchman’s Road in Newark, DE.  Interment will be private and held on Monday September 23 at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Marie may be made to “Sojourner’s’ Place”, 2901 Northeast Blvd. Wilmington, DE 19802 (302–764-4713).  WWW.SOJOURNERSPLACE.ORG. 

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