Mary (John) Colorio

Mary (John) Colorio, born October 10, 1937, has ‘fought the good fight, finished the course, kept the faith. Therefore, there is laid up for her the crown of righteousness.’ (1 Timothy 4:7-8) which she attained on January 30, 2024. Mary was 86 years old.

Mary was born in Marlborough, MA, daughter of (late) Theodore and Irene   (Llambi Sauli) John, who had immigrated from Korçë, Albania  Mary grew up in Worcester with her parents and (late) dear brother Vasil. Soon after graduating Commerce High School, Mary married John Colorio on Nov 22, 1956. That’s when life got exciting! 

 Years later, with little money to support their now complete family of five, Mary and John founded a spinach pie factory, Dimitria Delights, Inc, aptly named to honor Mary’s Albanian heritage and the family recipe! In 1971, when no one had heard of Lakror, Mary and John grew their business one grocery store at a time with little more than a toaster oven and napkins with which to hand out samples, grit and perseverance. ‘Mrs. Mary’, as she was affectionately known to the Albanian community, had become not only their employer, but also their ambassador.   Mary is highlighted on page 70 of Albanian American Success Stories, published 2014. Over the ensuing 50+ years, Mary continued to stay involved in the family business.

Mary leaves behind a bountiful family who loved her: husband of almost 70 years, John J. Colorio; daughter Donna Colorio and her children: Justin and Ryan Holohan, Emma Marx; daughter Gina Colorio, her husband David Purdy and their children: Andrea, Joshua, Anthony, Eva, Gabriel, Noah, Malachi, Olivia, Franchesca, Rebecca; and son John Colorio, Jr and his children: Shiana Colorio, Kelsey Colorio, Mariah Colorio; seven great granddaughters: Brooklyn, Maren, Ivy, Isla, Rosalie, Annabelle, Arianna; seven great grandsons: Amaru, Theo, Nico, Bryan Jr, Hudson, Cole, RJ; four sisters-in-law, Elaine Mendel-John, Mary A Colorio, Dolores Vito, Theresa Dintino; nieces, nephews, cousins; her childhood girlfriends with whom she stayed close: (late) Nancy Shippole, (late) Beverly Cancelmo, (late) Maryanne Consolmagno, Dorothy Mitchell, Pat Fratantonio: as well as numerous business associates and friends- especially Diane Callahan who ‘grew up in the industry’ with her. Mary (and John) helped to raise and enjoyed an especially close relationship with granddaughter, Shiana and great granddaughter, Ari. 

 Calling hours will be held on Friday, February 9th, 2024, from 4-7pm in the Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel, 370 Plantation St, Worcester.  A Funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday, February 10th at 11am with a procession from the funeral home departing at 10:45am to St John’s Church, 44 Temple St, Worcester. Burial will follow in Hope Cemetery. Your presence would be comforting at this time. Please, in honor of Mary’s commitment to literacy, (in lieu of flowers), memorial contributions may be made to gatewaysacademy.org memorial reading fund, the micro-school in Shrewsbury, MA where Gina volunteers.