Obituary – Mary Louise Graziano
Mary Louise Graziano, age 102, passed away December 13, 2025, surrounded by her loving family and the caring staff of Eagle Ridge Personal Care Home. She was born May 11, 1923, the daughter of Dominic and Mary Michele. On September 4, 1948, she married Rocco Graziano, who preceded her in death after 62 years of marriage. Along with parents and husband, she was also preceded in death by brother, Angelo (Firp) Michele, sisters Anna Michele, and Thomasine Barzona.
In 1941, Mary Louise graduated from high school after having never missed a day of school. She attended the State Beauty School in Williamsport then worked part time in a beauty shop before employment at Sylvania in Mill Hall and worked there until it closed. She then worked at Clinton Paper Company in Lock Haven until her retirement.
A devout Catholic, Mary Louise could be seen saying her Rosary and reciting her daily prayers. She was a life-long member of the Alpine Star Lodge where she served as past president, then recording and financial secretary. She was also a member of the Catholic Daughters, Rosary Alter Society and church choir. In 1983, she assumed responsibility of the kitchen at St. Agnes and continued for 25 years preparing funeral luncheons, cooking for the fair and spring fest along with the help of many other parishioners. Many knew her from cooking her famous, spaghetti aglio e olio, on Friday nights at the Sons and Daughter of Italy where she was the oldest living member. An avid knitter and bestower of countless knitted gifts, she became chairperson of the knitting ministry where along with other ladies, they knitted prayer shawls, afghans and lap robes to distribute to those needing comfort. She touched the lives of countless people with her enormous generosity, kind words, a plate of cookies, or homemade raviolis.
Mary Louise and Rocco enjoyed years of traveling to his army reunions, family reunions in the Hazelton area, and to Kilmarnock, VA, where they harvested and enjoyed hard- and soft-shell crabs with family.
A beloved and ever-present figure in the lives of many but none more than her nieces and nephews where her memory will live on: Nicholas Barzona (wife Jan) Stephanie Hills (husband Joseph), Michael Barzona (wife Jennie) Roxanne Barzona (late husband Russ Persón), Toni Marie Winslow (husband, Mike). Great nephew, Aza Hills, Great nieces; Rachael Adams (husband Derek), Mia Jones (husband Bron), Lucia Persón, Kristin Winslow and Emily Winslow (husband Sam Ruppert). The Graziano family with so many nieces and nephews were all very close to “Aunt Louise.”
The last of her generation, she will be greatly missed by her family and friends. A special thank you for the loving and caring hearts of the Eagle Ridge Personal Care Home staff.
The family will receive friends at the Donald G. Walker Funeral Home, Inc., 231 High Street, Lock Haven, PA 17745, Saturday, December 20, 2025 from 10 to 11:30am. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday at 12pm at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 3 E. Walnut St., Lock Haven, PA 17745. Private burial will take place at St. Agnes Catholic Cemetery, Lock Haven.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital www.stjude.org or knit or crochet a gift for someone. Online condolences may be given by visiting www.donaldwalkerfuneralhome.com
