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Mary (Vena) Calabrese, 97, of East Haven, formerly of North Haven, passed away Nov. 13 at Yale-New Haven Hospital. She was born Aug. 16, 1920, in Castelverde, Province of Avellino, Italy, to Salvatore and Teresina (Sullo) Vena.

Mary is survived by her two children, Carol Calabrese of Branford and James Calabrese, Sr., of East Haven; and a sister, Jane Cannici of West Haven. Mary is also survived by four grandchildren, James Calabrese, Jr., (Donna), Lisa Salvo (Michael), Laura Calabrese Pierandi (Joseph Pierandi), and Michael Calabrese; seven great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Mary is preceded in death by her parents; husband Dominic Calabrese (1976); sisters Martha Serino and Adeline Barbiero; daughter-in-law Judith Calabrese; and dear friend Anthony Lanteri.

Mary immigrated to the US in 1927 and resided in East Haven for the past 40 years. She worked at the National Folding Box, Harlock and Burndys, where she became the first woman steward and contract negotiator at Burndys in North Haven. She was a member of Jolly Time Seniors in New Haven and the East Haven Senior Center. Mary loved socializing with her friends, spending time with her family, cooking, and traveling back to her hometown in Italy.

The family received friends on Nov. 19 at the Clancy-Palumbo Funeral Home (Clancy Funeral Home), 43 Kirkham Ave., East Haven. Her funeral procession left Clancy-Palumbo Funeral Home on Nov. 20 for a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, Taylor Avenue, East Haven, followed by Committal at All Saints Cemetery in North Haven.

A special thank you to Talmadge Park, Yale-New Haven Hospital, and St. Raphael Campus Hospital for all their kind and compassionate care. For an online obituary, visit www.clancy-palumbofuneralhome.com.