Obituary of Mary L. Fava

Mary Lucy Marciano Fava of Anthony Court in Greenwood Lake, N.Y., died peacefully surrounded by family on October 29, 2016, at her home. Born on December 28, 1925, at her home on 3rd Street in New Rochelle, N.Y., she was the daughter of the late Benedetto Rocco and Lucy (Zito) Marciano. She attended local schools and went on to earn a degree from Berkeley College in Manhattan in 1945. After college Mary excelled in a career as a secretary in New Rochelle. In 1950 she married Edward G. Fava of Mount Vernon, where they started a family of three children. Mary and Edward purchased The Woodlands hotel, restaurant and bar in Greenwood Lake in 1957 and moved to Greenwood Lake in 1960. She managed The Woodlands' extensive day-to-day operations but always found time to shower her childrenwith endless love, attention and support. Mary had a love of all music and dancing and enjoyed shopping, walking, word puzzles and bowling which she was named Most Improved Bowler in her league three years in a row. Beloved by all who knew her, she was admired and respected by her business peers and was known as "The Lady of the Lake." Later, Mary worked part time at Neiman Marcus in White Plains where she was the top sales person in the store's shoe salon. Her proudest life's work was serving as the Official Taste-Tester in her son Edward'scatering business. She also was a devout parishioner of Our Lady Queen of Peace in Hewitt, N.J., and a member of the Rosarian Society. Mary is survived by her loving family – daughter Albina Fava Hannigan and her son-in-law, Patrick Hannigan of Tuxedo, N.Y., and son Edward P. Fava of Greenwood Lake, N.Y. She also is survived by her four grandchildren – Mary Fava-Marsh and her husband David Marsh, of Greenwood Lake, N.Y., Anthony Fava and his wife Stephanie, of Greenland, N.H., Judson Hannigan, of Beijing, China; and Edward Hannigan and his wife Kerry, of Stamford, Conn. and six great-grandchildren. Survivors also include sisters Josephine M. Marciano Lettera, of New Rochelle, and Anna Marciano Ranilla, of New Rochelle, and several nieces and nephews. Mary was predeceased by her son Anthony Rocco Fava in 1991. She also was predeceased by her parents and three siblings: Benedetto, Paul and Josephine. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of Queen of Peace Church in Hewitt, N.J. on Friday, November 4 at 11 a.m. with burial to follow in the Warwick Cemetery next to her son. The family wishes to express their gratitude to all who have assisted with Mary's care. As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions in honor of Mary Fava may be made to either the Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090 or to St. Anthony Community Hospital, 15 Maple Avenue, Warwick, N.Y. 10990. Care for the Fava family has been entrusted to the Strong-BasileFuneral Home in Greenwood Lake, N.Y. 477-8240 or www.ocfuneralhomes.com