Obituary of Mary R. Apicella

Mary R. Mollico Apicella, age 96 of Fairfield and formerly of Flushing, New York, passed away peacefully in her sleep on September 18th after a bedside visit with her loving family. Born in New York, NY on December 25, 1927, she was a daughter of the late Domenic and Rosina Gargalione Mollico and beloved wife of the late Louis Apicella. 

A child of Italian immigrants, in her early years Mary enjoyed going to school, taking piano lessons and singing around the house. She continued singing soprano in high school and was asked to join the 'Coro D'Italia' [the Choir of Italy], a noted singing group that performed in Queens, NY. After high school she had an early career in fashion design and then worked for the phone company, while taking night classes for college credit at NYU. She married Luigi (Lou) Apicella - her husband of 58 years - [in 1952] and they remained together until his death in 2010.

While Mary and Lou were busy raising a family, she started a career in cosmetics at Avon Products and was promptly promoted to District Sales Manager leading over 250 sales representatives. She was consistently recognized for her outstanding performance throughout her career and retired after 15 years of dedicated service.

Both during her career and in her retirement, Mary enjoyed a full life. She and Lou shared a love of singing and were active members of the Notre Dame chorus in New Hyde Park, where they sang weekly. They also sang for special events throughout the area, including in St. Patrick's Cathedral in NYC throughout the Christmas season.

Mary and Lou travelled abroad at a time when global travel was fairly rare and brought back many exciting stories about their trips to the UK, China, and Italy. They were great home entertainers and really knew how to throw a party for family and friends. Mary did the cooking and enlisted the kids to help get the house in order and provided guidance for serving, all while being the perfect hostess, always looking beautiful and carrying herself with an air of grace and elegance.

Mary's true joy was spending time with her family and friends. This was clear to every visitor she received, who saw her face light up and heard her warm, musically inspired greeting as they approached, all before a word was ever spoken.

She will be greatly missed by her family, friends, and all those who had the pleasure of knowing her.

Survivors include her three loving children, Debbie Magrone (Jim), Diane Apicella (Thomas Sudano) and Doug Apicella (Hilary), three cherished grandchildren, Kristen Peck (George), Sean Apicella and Mia Sudano, two adored great grandchildren, Ryan and Annabelle, as well as several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a brother, John Mollico and two sisters, Dora Danzico and Theresa Farrese.

A graveside service will take place on Friday, September 27, 2024 at 11:30 a.m. directly in Mount St. Mary's Cemetery, 172-00 Booth Memorial Ave., Flushing, NY. At Mary's request there will be no calling hours. Arrangements entrusted to the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Rd., Trumbull. To leave an online condolence please visit www.abriola.com.