Mary Jean (Mercadante) Rano

Mary Jean (Mercadante) Rano, 80, a longtime resident of Auburn, passed away unexpectedly in her sleep on February 7th, 2024.

Mary Jean was born in Worcester, one of eight children of Querino and Mary Jean (Carrier) Mercadante. She grew up in Worcester and attended Commerce High School.  Mary Jean married John R. Rano, her high school sweetheart and the love of her life. The two began raising their family in Worcester, moving to Auburn in 1971. They raised their five children with love, loyalty and kindness before John passed away on April 29, 2007, after 46 years of marriage.  

Mary Jean was a hardworking bartender and waitress at the former Driftwood, Leofanti’s and other restaurants in the area. She found great joy in teaching ceramics and arts and crafts for the Sisters of Notre Dame du Lac. The matriarch of her family, Mary Jean remained a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She enjoyed playing pitch, visiting the ocean, summers at Salisbury Beach, and traveling with her husband in their motorhome around the United States. 

 Her door was always open to her family as they often dropped in throughout the day. She’d have a fresh pot of coffee and the morning newspaper on the table, and was quick to tell you all of the latest headlines. She'd pull out her famous gravy and boil your favorite pasta to enjoy while catching up. She loved shopping, especially for her grandchildren and great grandchildren. And no matter what, she always had the best earrings on. 

Mary Jean is survived by four children; Sherry Rano and her partner Kevin Ford, Michael Rano, twins Robin Rano and Robbie Rano;  two sisters, Shirley Marr, and Donna Mastrovito; four brothers, William Mercadante, twins Francis Mercadante and Frederick Mercadante, and Querino Mercadante, Jr.;  three grandchildren she cherished, James Murphy and his wife Lianna, Brittany O’Brien and her husband Jay, and John Rano, IV; four great grandchildren, Vincent, Kali, Lilith, and Evelyn;  Many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.  In addition to her parents and love John, she joins in heaven a son, John R. Rano, III who passed away in 2012 and a sister Diane Norsigian who passed away in 2019.

 Friends and relatives are invited to calling hours Thursday, February 15^th from 4 to 7 pm in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St.  Her funeral will be held Friday, Feb. 16^th from the funeral home with a procession at 10 am to Our Lady of Loreto church, 37 Massasoit Road, where her funeral Mass will be held at 11 am.  Burial next to her husband and son will follow in Hillside Cemetery, Auburn.