Mary Ann Taranto

Mary Ann Dunne Taranto, 82, of Jupiter, FL, formerly of Norwich and Rochester, died at her home on February 27, 2023, following a brief illness, with her family present. She was born in Norwich on March 20, 1940, the daughter of James McCune Dunne and Mary Alice Ivory.

Mary Ann was a graduate of Norwich High School, class of 1958, and Georgetown University School of Nursing. Known as “Lefty” Dunne on the NHS basketball team, she also played tennis and golf throughout her life. She married Angelo C. Taranto on December 28, 1963, at St. Paul’s Church in Norwich. Most of her life was spent in Rochester, where she and Ang raised their children.

Mary Ann led an active life, initially as a nurse at Chenango Memorial, then learning every street and alleyway in Rochester as a Visiting Nurse for the Monroe County Health Department. Later, she worked with mentally-disabled adults in Rochester.

After retirement, she and Ang moved to Jonathan’s Landing in Jupiter, Florida. There, she was a founding member of JL Cares, a charitable organization which provided volunteers and financial support to more than 18 charities in Jupiter. She also volunteered for Hospice in Palm Beach for several years. Mary Ann took several trips abroad, including four to Ireland, where she became close to cousins on both sides of her family. She also enjoyed a good Old Fashioned.

She is survived by her children Catherine (Chris Hogan) of Delmar, NY; Michael (Sandy Pacheco) of Fort Lauderdale, FL; and Mary Ann “Missy” (David Shaffer) of St. Augustine, FL; eight beloved grandchildren, Daniel, Griffin (Kelsey Filipello), Erin Grace, and Michael Hogan, Angelo and Andrew Taranto, Hannah and Meghan Shaffer; and two adored great-grandchildren, Jaxson and Maverick Hogan; as well as her brother-in-law Bart Taranto of Royal Palm Beach, FL.

She is also survived by her brother and his wife, James I. and Donna Dunne, of Norwich, and their children James M. Dunne II of Norwich and Mary Ann “Molly” and Kevin Stokes of Fairport and their children, Jack Stokes, Ivory and Drew Baker, and Seamus “Shay” Stokes. Also surviving is a special cousin, Annette Ivory of Fermoy, County Cork, and many other nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her father in 1962, her mother in 1979, and her husband, Ang, in 2008. Also dying before were her aunts, Mary Aileen Dunne, Margaret I. Page, Kathryn I. Wager; her uncles, W. Edward Ivory and Thomas Hafey Ivory; and her nephew, Thomas Patrick Dunne.

A Florida Mass of Resurrection will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 21 at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 13591 Prosperity Farms Road, Palm Beach Gardens, FL.

A Norwich Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 13, 2023 at the Church of St. Paul, Burial will occur immediately following the Mass.

In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested donations to Trustbridge Foundation Inc. 5300 East Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL 33407, or The Greater Norwich Foundation, 52 South Broad St, Norwich, NY.