Mary Lepore

Mary Lepore, a beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully at the age of 101. Born on April 7, 1924, in Newark, New Jersey, Mary was the cherished daughter of Mariano and Giuseppa DiGangi, who emigrated from Sicily in the early 1900s in search of a better life. Along with her siblings Lena, Vito, Lucy, and Joseph, Mary grew up in a close-knit, loving family shaped by hard work, resilience, and tradition.

Like many of her generation, Mary began working at a young age to help support her family during the Great Depression. During World War II, she worked in local factories to aid the war effort—a time that not only defined her sense of strength and patriotism but also led her to love. On the back balconies of neighboring buildings, she met George Lepore, the man who would become her husband. They married on June 27, 1948, beginning a joyful union filled with laughter, dancing, and music. Together, they loved spending evenings dancing with friends to the sounds of Glenn Miller and Tommy Dorsey.

Mary and George welcomed two sons: Anthony in 1950 and George in 1959. In 1966, the family moved to Manchester, New Hampshire, where Mary discovered her lifelong passion for gardening. She found immense joy in cultivating a yard and flowerbeds that reflected her love of beauty and nature.

A woman of many talents, Mary was deeply involved in her community and church. She contributed her creativity to church fairs, often crafting one-of-a-kind holiday ornaments. At the same time, she took up sewing, knitting, and needlework—skills she pursued with both care and dedication.

A breast cancer survivor, Mary exemplified strength and hope, attending survivor reunions and offering her support to others. She was known throughout her neighborhood for her warmth and generosity, often sharing her homemade Italian meals with friends and loved ones.

Mary is survived by her son, George Lepore of New York, NY; her granddaughter, Sara Dube, and her husband, Tim; and her great-grandchildren, Elliott and Graham, of Washington, DC. She is also remembered with love by her nieces, nephews, and their families in New Jersey.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband, George, in 1998, and her son, Anthony, in 2019.

Mary Lepore will forever be remembered as a bright, kind, and giving soul—a woman whose life touched so many, and whose legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

Calling Hours for Mary will be held on Monday, October 13 from 4 PM - 7 PM at Phaneuf Funeral Homes, 243 Hanover St. Manchester, NH. A funeral service will take place the following day at 11:30 AM at Phaneuf Funeral Homes, followed by a cemetery committal service at St. Joseph's Cemetery in Bedford, NH.