Mary Ann Romano passed peacefully on Tuesday, January 24, 2023. Mary was born on April 18, 1951, in Hartford, CT. She was raised in East Hartford, graduating from Penney High School in 1969. She married the love of her life Donald Romano on June 27, 1972, and enjoyed 47 years of marriage until Don’s passing in 2020. 

Mary was an avid reader who liked solving daily crossword puzzles and who had an insatiable sweet tooth, but anyone who knew her had little doubt that her family was truly the center of her life. She loved her family with ceaseless devotion, and when blessed with children Kelly and Michael, her capacity for love grew exponentially. When she was later blessed with grandchildren, she touched the lives of another generation as she and Don attended their grandchildren’s sporting events and concerts, showing them how to live life in a way that puts devotion and love into action. After Don’s passing, her grandchildren reached out and shared special lunches and visits with her, making sure she knew how loved she was. Those are times they will treasure as they remember her. 

Always putting others before herself and taking action to make the lives of others easier, Mary was the bright light of her family. Her smile, sense of humor, and kindness will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her. Yet, she would not want there to be tears.  Even in her final days, she was concerned that those she loved would be happy. 

Mary is survived by her children, Kelly Celio and her husband Peter of Hebron, and Michael Romano and his wife Kimberly of Ellington. She will be dearly missed by her beloved grandsons, Jack and James Celio, Aidan and Connor Romano, and Jordan Valle. In addition to her beloved Don, she was predeceased by and is reunited in death with her parents, James and Margaret Greene, brother Peter Greene and sisters, Virginia Ranno, Kathryn Pepin, and Patricia Greene. 

A funeral service celebrating Mary’s life will be held Saturday, January 28, 2023, at noon at the D’ESOPO, East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford. Calling hours will be held prior to the service from 10:30 a.m. until noon. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Mary’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit www.desopoeh.com.