Mary E. DeMatteis

Jesus is the voice in my silence... Our dearest mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother; Mary Ellen Christine DeMatteis; a devout Christian; was taken to heaven by Jesus Christ on March 14, 2020. Born on September 10, 1934, in Ambridge,Pennsylvania; she was the daughter of the late Elizabeth and George Swartz. Mom was three months old when she became deaf. Although Mom lived in a “silent world”; Mom never let her loss of hearing prevent her from doing anything! She attended the Pittsburgh School for the Deaf, while she was in high school. Mom became an excellent lip-reader. She taught her three children to lip-read. Mom wrote a letter to Paul Tagliabue, the former NFL Commissioner, suggesting that all NFL coaches and assistant coaches cover their faces with their clipboards because she could read the coaches’ lips as well as other lipreaders could do the same thing; therefore other players would know the play strategies. The commissioner agreed with Mom. Mom and her daughter, Therese watched all the Steeler football games, as well as other NFL games. Mom was a very kind, caring, loving, good, sweet, generous, unselfish, compassionate, and understanding woman, who believed in treating others with dignity and respect. As an expert knitter, embroiderer, crochet-er, craft-maker, artist, baker and cook, she never used any patterns or recipes. She made beautiful items and delicious meals. Mom also made the holidays extra special, especially Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. Mom was a graduate of Aliquippa High School. Mom was a member of Saint Catherine of Sienna Catholic Church. She was also a member of the former AM and PM Hopewell homemakers, Saint Frances Cabrini Knitting Group and the House of Prayer Lutheran Knitting Group. Mom was a frequent rider of the former Woodlawn & Southern buses and the DART buses. Although Mom had a very hard life, no one would ever know it because she always had a smile on her face and kept up a positive attitude. Mom was a loyal supporter of the Flag Plaza in Rochester. Her name is on the Flag’s Hall of Support. In addition to her parents, Mom was preceded in death by her husband of fifty-eight and a half years, Antonio DeMatteis, who died on August 9, 2013. Her three sisters: Betty Petrella, Dorothy Garrison and Shirley Schaublin. One brother: George Swartz, Jr. Mom is survived by her three children: Therese DeMatteis, who resided with Mom, Ted (Kim) DeMatteis, Celeste (Mark) Chimile Four grandchildren: Ryan Chimile, Angela (Dominic) Guray, Desiree (Brandon) Mae and Sean DeMatteis. Five great-grandchildren: Chloe Chimile, Dylan Depkon, Braden and Abigail Mae, Charlotte Olivia Gary. We are sad to announce the visitation will be private on Wednesday from 2-4 and 6-8 pm due to the recent outbreak of the COVID-19 in the area. Arrangements were made with the Anthony Mastrofrancesco Funeral Home Inc 2026 McMinn Street Aliquippa PA 15001 724-375-0496. Due to (COVID-19) A private Mass of Christian burial will take place Thursday at St. Catherine of Sienna Catholic Church. Priavte entombment will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery. Mom will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her. I love you very much Mom. I will deeply miss you. Love forever, Therese. Our family would like to thank Good Samaritan Hospice for their Christ-like compassionate and kind care that was given to Mom and Us during this extremely difficult time.

Mary E. DeMatteis

September 10, 1934 - March 14, 2020