Mary Ann Italiano LoPinto of Tampa passed away September 2, 2010 at the age of 95. She was crowned Queen of the Italian Club when she was 19 and rode in the Gasparilla parade and for a year whenever she entered the Club's ballroom, the band would play her favorite song---Stardust. She loved all types of music and won several Rumba contests in New York. Born in Tampa in 1915, her father, one of Tampa's first councilman, owned the Eldorado Gambling Casino. The family had a second home in NYC where Mary Ann was a hat model and that's where she met her husband Peter and raised her 2 children. She returned to Tampa, 27 years ago. The last 14 years she lived, danced and enjoyed life at University Village. and cherished all the friendships made there. For the last 6 months she lived at the home of her son and daughter-in-law in Temple Terrace, Florida. Roses, the sign of St. Theresa her patron saint, were always her passion and so the family is donating rose bushes to Most Holy Redeemer Church of Tampa. Both in New York and Florida she was active in religious and community work. She was a member of the Secular Franciscan Order of St. Bonaventure Fraternity. She was professed in 1971, committing to follow a Way of Life, which the Church recognizes as being in conformity with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She was a member of the Cursillo, a national Christian group promoting kindness and friendship. As a volunteer she taught religion at St. Francis of Assisi in NYC in the 1980's she was active in Christ The King Catholic Church on South Dale Mabry. She is survived by her daughter Diane Pirozzi and husband Peter of Belle Terre, New York and son Joe LoPinto and wife Cynthia (Cyn) of Temple Terrace, Florida. Her five grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren knew her as Mimi. Her grandchildren include Ryan, Tina, Melissa, Peter and Madison. Her great-grandchildren include Alex, Andrew, Lucas, Mia and Kyle. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 AM Saturday, September 11, 2010 at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, Tampa. The family will receive friends Friday from 4-8 PM at MacDonald Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, send donations in Mary Ann's memory to LifePath Hospice, 12973 Telecom Parkway, Suite 100, Temple Terrace, FL 33637.

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MacDonald Funeral Home
Lowell J. MacDonald
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