Mary Theresa Ferrante Schillace went to her heavenly home on Thursday, March 1, 2018, in Hammond, Louisiana, at the age of 84. She was born on Wednesday, May 3, 1933 to the late Sam and Olympia Ferrante in Tickfaw, Louisiana.
Her passion was to cook for everyone. She was well known to the Hammond Firefighters as she was a proud wife to Joe, mother to Ronnie, grandmother to Shawn and great grandmother to Jordan both firefighters at Hammond & Natalbany Fire Depts., as well as great grandmother to Trey a Junior firefighter at Natalbany Fire Dept. She continued being devoted to Saint Joseph by preparing the symbolic breads, Italian cookies, fried vegetables, and homemade spaghetti gravy for Holy Ghost Catholic School Fourth Grade Saint Joseph Altar. She also enjoyed playing Pokeno once a month with her Pokeno group.
She was a member of Holy Ghost Catholic Church, Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court St. Albert the Great #2050, and Knights of Columbus Council #2952 - Ladies Auxiliary.
Mary was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Joseph A. Schillace; her parents, Sam and Olympia Ferrante; and three brothers Louis, Joseph, and Sam Ferrante.
She is survived by her loving family: her son: Ronnie Schillace (Carol Hebert), and daughters, Dolores "Dee" Schillace Stewart, Linda Schillace Owens (Kenneth), and Patricia "Pat" "Tricia" Schillace; sisters: Virginia Bates (Joe) and Annie Lloyd (Dennis Greer); grandchildren, Shawn Schillace (Tracie), Lisa Schillace McMillion (Brian), Travis and Tyler Owens, and Britney Stewart; great-grandchildren: Jordan Schillace (Kirsten McLaughlin), Trey Schillace, and Gracie and Layla McMillion; great great grandchild: Brooklyn Schillace; step grandchildren, Keri Dapprich (Chris) and Jason Hendrix; step great grandchildren, Kaylee Hendrix, Krislyn Dapprich, Caden Dapprich, and Cathen Dapprich; a special Godchild, Sharon Schillace; and many nieces and nephews.
Special thanks to the staff of Richard Murphy Hospice Home for their compassionate care.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Ghost Catholic Church, 601 North Oak Street, Hammond, Louisiana 70401, on Monday, March 5, 2018 at 11:00 am. Visitation will be held at church from 7:45 am until 11:00 am.
Interment will follow in Rose Memorial Park Cemetery, Hammond, Louisiana.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Richard Murphy Hospice Foundation, 1109 S Chestnut St, Hammond, LA 70403, in memory of Mary Schillace.
Services entrusted to Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Homes of Hammond and Ponchatoula, Louisiana. To view and sign the family guest book, please visit www.harrymckneely.com.
