Obituary of MaryLouise Calabrese

MaryLouise Calabrese passed peacefully from this world into the next on October 26, 2023, surrounded by her family.  Born in Peekskill, NY to the late Catherine (O’Sullivan) and George Strumke on November 6, 1930, MaryLouise, fondly known as ‘Miss Peekskill’ spent her lifetime building friendships and contributing to the community that she loved so much.  One of six children, she grew up with her brothers Billy, Albie, George, and John and her sister, Marie, all predeceased.  After a youthful budding romance with the local vegetable delivery boy for Offenbacher’s, Michael Calabrese, the two were wed in 1949 and shared their life together until his passing in 2005. 

A graduate of Peekskill High School, and cheer captain, she went on to volunteer teaching CCD at Assumption School as well as becoming a volunteer physical education teacher at Peekskill High School.  She always took pride in being a telephone operator for ‘The Telephone Company’, whether it was Ma Bell, New York Telephone, or one of the numerous names the company went by during all the years she was there. She was the first woman to receive a ’Fifty Year Pin’ from Centennial Hose and was honored in 2017 as Grand Marshal of the Peekskill Fourth of July Parade. 

While she loved volunteering, working, gardening, sewing, and crocheting, she spent most of her time being the mom of seven children. This was no job she took lightly as she was always just around the corner and knew all that was going on in each of their lives.  Even many years later, she is thought of coming around the corner in her green station wagon, license plate ‘MRSMIKE’, checking on her kids.  A Daughter of the American Revolution, there was no fooling Mrs. C. as she could smell trouble a mile away and had a pointed finger waiting when everyone came running home to her famous whistle.

Most will agree that going through firsts without their loved ones is one of the tougher challenges when someone passes away.  In just a few short days we would have been celebrating her birthday and later in the month anticipating a Thanksgiving feast that couldn’t be beat.  We will think of her this year, and every year to come, when the Christmas music starts to play as it was always on during the season. However, amongst the many wonderful gifts and lessons she gave to us, she left us each other.  The mold was certainly broken when they made mom, but we know as we sit around the kitchen table laughing through tears, that she is always just around the corner.

MaryLouise is survived by her children Christopher Calabrese, Michael (Kathy) Calabrese, TinaMarie Jeter, John (Deborah) Calabrese, Lisa (Philip) Bisesto, Louis (Rosario) Calabrese, and Vincent Calabrese.  She will also be remembered by her grandchildren Christopher, Jr., David, Katie, Jessica, Anthony, Stephen, Shawn, Amanda, Natalie, Alyssa, Philip, Theresa, Charlie, Esme, Zafy, and Anthony.  She also leaves behind her great-grandchildren Grayson, Jet, Lamaar, Noah, Kayla, Hailey, Addison, Luca, Evan, Madison, Mason, and Juliette. 

‘God’s people never say goodbye for the last time.’   

~ As highlighted in blue in her cherished Bible

Visitation will be held on Sunday, October 29, 2023, from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Joseph F. Nardone Funeral Home, 414 Washington Street, Peekskill, NY.

Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Monday, October 30, 2023, at 10:00 am at Church of the Assumption, 920 1st Street, Peekskill, NY.

Interment to follow at Assumption Cemetery.