Mary W. Boccella
Mary Wilmer Boccella
April 18, 1934 – May 6, 2021
Surrounded by the warmth and love of her family, Mary passed peacefully on Thursday, May 6, 2021.
Born April 18, 1934, Mary was the third child of John A. Wilmer and Margaret R. Wilmer (née O’Neill). She is predeceased by her loving sister and brother, Joan Nichols and John Wilmer. She is survived by her five children, their spouses, and 12 grandchildren : Victoria and Christopher Haney (Megan, Ryan (Roxanne), Maeve); Jenna Boccella and Curtis March (Harry); Amy Boccella (Gregory Kaler Smith, Olivia (Quentin), Genevieve, Noah, Teddy, Sophia Smith); Christopher and Kerry Boccella (Leo, Felix and Tillie), and Maggie Boccella.
Mary carried herself with beauty, grace and wit. Her truth and wisdom were a guiding force to those who knew her, and once you knew her, you loved her. With the perfect scarf for every occasion, she made you feel that when you were with her, you weren’t just the ONLY person in the room, but the most important and wonderful person in the world.
A graduate of Little Flower High School, Mary was creative, focused and conscientious. Following a career as a runway model, marriage, and motherhood, Mary started an interior design practice and became a successful kitchen designer. She could turn any drab room into a comfortable living space, whip up a prom dress or a window treatment in the blink of an eye, and knew exactly what tools and hardware were needed for any project.
We are blessed beyond measure to have been raised by this beautiful person. Services and interment this week at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery are private. A Celebration of Life will follow in July. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to The Community Partnership School, Philadelphia, in Mary’s name.
I love Mary’s picture and her obituary; what a special tribute to a beautiful woman. She was always very gracious and kind even though when I was seeing her, she was coming to a doctor appointment not feeling very well. She never lost that little twinkle in her eye. It is said that she had a way of making you feel like you were the most important and wonderful person in the world. I can only hope that I was able to give some of that back to her. She is certainly going to be missed. I am very grateful to have known her. My condolences to Mary’s family.
I’m so sorry for your loss. She was an amazing women. She will be missed. Love and prayers to the whole family.
Maureen just sent us the sad news. Yes, it has been years since we saw Mary, but she has always been a bright light in the O’Neill constellation and will always be so. I am glad Suzanne had the chance to meet her, and indeed all of you, during our single trip back east those years ago. Mary, your grace, wit, intellect and mutli-faceted beauty will be missed dearly. Move through eternity in peace and love.
Neil
Mary was a wonderful, strong, lovely woman. I always looked up to her and enjoyed getting to know her well when Maggie and my son Dan attended an art program during grade school. I have missed bumping into her in recent years. Peace to you Mary.
this is so late getting sent I am embarrassed. Mary was such a show of dignity and grace which always made me want to be like her. Or in the least, taught me such things mattered in the way you acted around others. I will miss her spirit. Even though seeing her infrequently was how things were, I still carried her in my heart. So sorry for all of you that now now you do not have her with you any longer.