Mary Ann (Peco) Vari

Mary Ann Peco Vari, 91, of Wilmington, DE passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, April 27, 2023.

Mary Ann was born in Wilmington, DE to Joseph and Frances (Ferrante) Peco.  She was a proud graduate of Ursuline Academy and Goldey Beacom College.  She worked for Beryl, Potter and Anderson law firm as a legal secretary until her father’s untimely death in 1954.  Upon his death, she returned to work as Secretary/Treasurer of the family’s business, Peco’s Liquors, until her retirement in 1994.

A devout Catholic, Mary Ann was a proud member of St. Helena’s Roman Catholic Church and was a daily communicant for most of her life.   She served in many capacities through the years including as a member of the Altar Society, Parish Council, Ecumenical Society, Meals on Wheels, Emmanuel Dining Room and the Charismatic Prayer Group.  In addition, she was a Eucharistic Minister to the sick and homebound of the parish.  Her friends from the parish were extended family to her.

Mary Ann married the love of her life, Joseph Vari, in 1959 and together they raised 5 children.  A devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, her greatest joy was spending time with her family and taking pride in all of their accomplishments.  She instilled in them a love of the Catholic faith and she was surrounded by prayer until the last moment of her life.

In addition to her parents, Mary Ann was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Vari; her, sister Rita Peco Gazzillo; her great-grandson, Rosario Vari.  She is survived by her sons: Joseph (Maria) of Charlotte, NC, Stephen of Collegeville, PA, Dominic of Washington, DC, James (Karen) of Cranford, NJ; her daughter, Carol Ann Plunkett (Christopher) of Wilmington, DE; her grandchildren: Nathan (Nicole), Arielle, Nicholas, Michael, James and Julia Vari, and Matthew, Samuel and Luke Plunkett; her great grandchildren: Alexander, Joshua, Levi and Leo Vari; her brothers-in-law: Dominick (Carminha) and Anthony (Joan) Vari; her “fifth son” Gregg Martin; and many loving nieces and nephews.   

The family would like to especially thank Mary Joyner and Stephanie Bilinski for their loving assistance with caregiving these last few months and Wendy Strowhouer, RN and Erica Walker from Compassionate Care Hospice.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Friday, May 5, 2023 at 12 noon at St. Helena's Catholic Church, 602 Philadelphia Pike, Wilmington, DE 19809 where friends and family may call from 10:30 - 11:45AM. Entombment will follow in Cathedral Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. Helena’s Roman Catholic Church.

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