Kasparian, Mary G.

ALBANY- Mary Grace (LoPonto) Kasparian, 97, passed away peacefully, Sunday, September 11, 2016 after a brief illness.

Born and educated in Albany, she was the daughter of the late Leonardo and Anna Maria (Robilatto) LoPonto. Mary lived her life for over 60 years on Albion Avenue.She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother and will be remembered for her gracious hospitality and her cooking; especially Italian and Armenian dishes. She always said the special ingredient in all her recipes was love. No one ever left her home hungry.

Mary was married to the love of her life, Harry Kasparian until his passing in 1977. She is the beloved mother of Lucille Loveland and Christine (David) Essex; cherished grandmother of Dennis C. (Maria) Drozd, Mark A. Drozd and Kimberly C. (John III) Palella; great-grandmother “Nonna” of Nicholas and Georgianna Drozd, Mariana, Nina, Johnny and Emilia Palella whom she loved so dearly; she is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. Mary was predeceased by two brothers Anthony LoPonto and Vincent LoPonto; andthree sisters Angelina Calsolaro, Rose Fletcher and Ruth Lombardo.

A special thanks to the Sisters of the Resurrection and the staff at the Riverside Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with her family on Wednesday, September 14, 2016 from 4-7 pm in the Daniel Keenan Funeral Home, 490 Delaware Ave. Albany.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, September 15, 2016 at 8:45 am from the funeral home thence to St. Thomas the Apostle Church where her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 am. Interment will follow in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery, Colonie.In lieu of flowers, those who wish may send memorial contributions to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN 38105.