Mary C. Vendette

Mary C. (Militello) Vendette was born Nov. 12, 1917 in the Village of Westfield.

Mary was one of five children born to Antony and Jeni (Pomare) Militello.

Mary has three brothers, one still survives, brother Anthony , and two are deceased, Joseph and Daniel. She also had two sisters Josephine and Julia are also passed.

Raised in Westfield she graduated from Westfield Academy School. Mary was always interested in food service field wanting to be a nutritionist. But it was during the war and she worked on her fathers farm to help the family.

She moved to Erie, PA to work for a factory producing parts for aircrafts for the war. Our little “Rosie the Rivitor”!

Mary moved to Charleston, S.C. to be with her love, Michael J. Vendette II, while he served the Air Force. They married in a small ceremony in 1943 when Mike was on leave. She remained in South Carolina until Mike was discharged from the service.

Mary and Mike moved to Dunkirk so they could be closer to family. They lived in his parents lower apartment for awhile until they moved to start their family.While in Dunkirk, they renewed their vows so family could attend.

Mike and Mary were blessed with four children, Michael, Kenneth, Jennifer (Vendette) Van Valkenburg and youngest son, Timothy.

Mary soon had grandchildren to enjoy. Six wonderful blessings. Kenneth J. Vendette II who passed away in 2011 (was son to Kenneth Vendette) Dale J. Van Valkenburg II (son to Dale I and Jennifer Van Valkenburg) Megan Vendette -(Paul) Orantez and Christopher Vendette (children of Timothy and Linda Vendette) Kevin and Nicole Vendette (Chance) Supko (Children of Kenneth and Cheryl)

Mary was later blessed with births of three beautiful great-granddaughters, Emma, Dana and Joana Van Valkenburg (Children to Dale II and Kate (Barter) Van Valkenburg.

Mary was employed at Fredonia State University College, working in the food service division in Erie Hall.

She retired in 1990 to care for her husband Mike who took ill and passed in 1991.

Mary had to deal with the loss of her husband and in time she was introduced to a craft club called “De Golyer’s Dallies” run by Ginny DeGolyer. Mary joined the club and was a member for more than 10 years, meeting weekly they socialized and enjoyed each others craft projects.

She enjoyed playing cards with her daughter Jennifer and friends, she attended many card parties and won most of them!

Mary took pride in her work in and out of her home. She loved to cook, garden, decorate, but most of all she cherishes her family.

Family is everything to Mary. You could always hear the pride in her voice as she speaks of her family.

Life has not been easy for Mary coping with the loss of Mike and her grandson Kenneth whom she helped raise and later the loss of her son-in-law Dale and of course her siblings. But she is a trooper, always kind of compassion giving love to others and caring.

Mary is a strong person holding on through may tragedies but she keeps going, spread her care for those who need. She has touched so many lives.

At 102 years old she still is residing at her home, living with her son Michael and daughter-in-law Patricia (Murphy) Vendette who is disabled.

Mary has lived a full and interesting life of 102 years. She’s seen a lot.