Mary Janet Gesualdo

Mary Janet Gesualdo, 78, a 27-year resident of Rhinebeck, passed away on July 31, 2022, at the Artis Senior Living Community in Briarcliff Manor, Westchester, NY.

Born in Flushing, NY on November 16, 1943, she was the daughter of the late Marvin D’Aoust and Emilia Badalaty (née DeRosa).

Mary grew up in Queens, NY, where she attended Richmond Hill High School. She later trained as a medical secretary and worked for two decades in the OB/GYN practice of Dr. Frank Gesualdo, her second husband, in Woodhaven, Queens.

After retiring to Northport, Long Island, Mary was widowed and moved to Rhinebeck, NY, where she spent the happiest years of her life. Surrounded by family and friends, she found new love when she met Robert Lama, a Rhinebeck native. Mary and Bob resided at the Woods in Rhinebeck, a close-knit condominium community.

While living at The Woods, Mary served as a condominium board member. She carefully planned and managed community landscaping, selecting beautiful plants, trees, lighting, and hardscape elements. She also supervised maintenance and extensive renovations to the community clubhouse. Mary was also an active volunteer in her Catholic parish.

When she wasn’t volunteering, Mary loved cruise travel. Her favorite activity, however, was hosting friends and loved ones. An accomplished chef, her home was holiday-central for her extended family, and her favorite role was that of a loving mother and grandmother.

Mary is survived by her companion Robert Lama, now of Dade City, FL, her son Michael Colarusso and his wife Lily of Beacon, NY, her daughter Lisa Colarusso of Brooklyn, NY, her brother Richard D’Aoust and his wife Carol of St. Augustine, FL, and her five grandchildren: Michael A. Colarusso, Christopher Colarusso, Amanda Innace, Joseph Werner, and Emilia Colarusso, as well as several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

There are no calling hours.

A memorial service will be held at the Dapson-Chestney Funeral Home, 51 W. Market St., Rhinebeck, NY on Saturday, August 13, 2022 at 10AM, followed immediately by burial at the St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Rhinecliff. A reception will follow at 12PM in the clubhouse at the Woods in Rhinebeck condominium community.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in honor of Mary can be made to the Mayo Clinic in support of Alzheimer’s and Dementia research, https://philanthropy.mayoclinic.org/page.aspx?

To send an online condolence, please visit www.dapsonchestney.com

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