Mary Ann Katchmore Cerminaro, of Carbondale, PA, passed away on Monday morning, May 20, 2024 in the arms of her loving husband, Santo and surrounded by her loving children.

Born August 17, 1940 in Carbondale, PA, she was the daughter of the late John and Marion Campolo Katchmore. Mary Ann was a 1958 graduate of Benjamin Franklin High School, Carbondale, and attended Lackawanna Business College where she majored in accounting. She had been employed as a bookkeeper at the Simpson Casting Company, Simpson, PA, and later resided in California for a few years where she worked for the Bank of America. She later moved to Bloomfield, NJ, before returning home to Carbondale, where she started a very successful real estate investment company and maintained it for 35 years before retiring.

Mary Ann was a devoted Catholic and a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Carbondale. She believed in the power of prayer and prayed faithfully each morning and evening to the Miraculous Medal since she was 12 years old.

Mary Ann was an extremely generous and kind person. She quietly helped many people over the years who were experiencing financial hardship. Mary Ann will be remembered for her friendly personality and her ability to strike up a conversation with everyone she met. She had the ability to learn a strangers whole life story from a short conversation.

In her pastime, she and her husband enjoyed traveling to casinos all over the Mid-Atlantic states but especially to Las Vegas. Mary Ann was a champion poker player and participated in many poker tournaments. In 2000, she defeated National Poker Player, Susan Isaacs in the Women's Classic in Las Vegas. Mary Ann also enjoyed horse racing and was a terrific handicapper having won many tournaments.

She and Santo shared a love of fishing and they enjoyed many happy days on Prompton Lake in their Bass fishing boat. Mary Ann would always bait her own hook but made Santo take off any fish she caught. Mary Ann was also involved in the planning of her high school class reunions and once a month get togethers.

Mary Ann will be remembered as a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She cherished the role of being a grandmother and her home was the center of activity for her all grandchildren while growing up. To this day her grandchildren remain very close.

The family was blessed to find the greatest care for Mary Ann at the Carbondale Nursing Home where she was treated with dignity and respect as she was ravaged by the symptoms of dementia. A special thank you to staff, Hannah, Myra, Ashley, Erin, Morgan, Desire, Jamie, Chelsea, Linda, Debbie and Chrissy. Santo cared for her in their home but seizures required specialized care. Santo never left her side and as he and Dawn provided care for her every day. A special thank you is also extended to Hospice of the Sacred Heart for their care and spiritual help.

She is survived by her loving husband of 50 years, Santo Cerminaro; her four children: James DeGrazia and wife Kathy, Diane Harrity and companion, Dave, Robert DeGrazia and companion, Jean and Dawn Quinn; eight grandchildren: Daniel DeGrazia and wife Tricia, James DeGrazia, Jr. and wife, Kathy, Amanda DeGrazia, Dr. Robert DeGrazia and wife, Dr. Krissa Arthur, Dr. Anthony DeGrazia and wife, Chelsea, Christopher DeGrazia and wife, Arianne, Joseph DeGrazia and Michael Quinn and wife, Katie; six great grandchildren: Sophia Grace, Ilianna, Anthony Jr., Harrison, Nolan and Bella Rose.

She was also preceded in death by two brothers: John "Sonny" and Alan Katchmore.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held Thursday, May 23, 2024 at 11:30 a.m. from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 15 Fallbrook Street, Carbondale, PA., clebrated by Rev. Seth Wasnock, pastor.  Entombment, Our Mother of Sorrows Cemetery, Greenfield Township, PA.

Pallbearers: Robert DeGrazia, Daniel DeGrazia, Michael Quinn, Dr. Robert DeGrazia, Dr. Anthony DeGrazia and Christopher DeGrazia.

A viewing was held Thursday, May 23, 2024 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations were made in Mary Ann's name to the Carbondale Nursing Home Resident Care Account, 10 Hart Place, Carbondale, PA 18407.

Arrangements by Carmine J. & Louis C. Parise Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Carbondale, PA.