Batavia - Mrs. Shirley J. Cuozzo, 85, of Batavia, died Friday, (October 1, 2010)at her daughter’s home in Cheektowaga, while under the care of Hospice Buffalo.
Mrs. Cuozzo was born July 12, 1925 in Buffalo, a daughter of the late John Gibney and Florence (Slade) Casper. She was also predeceased by her step-father Anthony Casper.
She was a life long member of Ascension Parish-St. Anthony’s Church where she belonged to the Altar and Rosary Society. Mrs. Cuozzo enjoyed drawing and took several classes at the local community college. As a child she acquired her love of birds from her step-father and her knack for flowers from her mother. Even though she was of Irish decent she learned to love the Italian ways after marrying her husband and it was not uncommon to find her making homemade manicotti, ravioli and pizzelles in her kitchen. Food was only one way that she expressed her love to family and friends.
Survivors include a daughter, Michele (Ernest) Wilson of Cheektowaga; two granddaughters, Maureen (Scott) Mahland of Goode, Virginia and Amanda Myers of Memphis, Tennessee; three great-grandchildren, Andrew Mahland, Avery Mahland and Kaelyn Mahland; two brothers, Paul Casper and Emory (Blanche) Casper, both of Batavia; three sisters, Joyce Blackwell of Houston, Texas, Zita Stornelli of Melbourne, Florida and Cecilia (Merril) Mabon of Castile and several nieces and nephews.
Her husband, Carmen Cuozzo, died June 7, 1990. She is also predeceased by seven brothers and sisters.
Calling hours are on Tuesday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Bohm-Calarco-Smith Funeral Home, 308 East Main Street, Batavia. Prayers will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. at Ascension Parish - St. Anthony's Church, 122 Liberty Street, Batavia. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Memorials may be made to The Hospice Foundation of WNY, 225 Como Park Boulevard, P.O. Box 590, Buffalo, N.Y. 14240 or the American Cancer Society, 101 John James Audubon Parkway West, Amherst, N.Y. 14228. Condolences may be made at www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.
