Mary V Garofano

A devoted wife and loving mother, Mary Veronica Garofano, passed away peacefully in her sleep early Sunday morning, February 13, 2022. Mary was born in Doklezovji, Yugoslavia on April 1, 1925, to Martin and Mary (Slavic) Horvath. She had one older sister Veronica and one younger brother Steve. Mary arrived in the United States through New York on the lle-de-France ocean liner when she was ten years old and grew up in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

Mary was introduced to Ciro John (Gary) Garofano when he returned home from the Philippines at the end of World War Il, after an honorable discharge from the Army Air Corp. Their first date was at a carnival where Mary ironically outperformed Gary at a shooting gallery. It was on November 9, 1946, that Mary V. Horvath married and became Mrs. Ciro J. Garofano. Gary re-enlisted in the United States Air Force and the couple traveled and lived the next thirty-one years at locations all over the United States and Europe with their two sons and three daughters. Gary retired from the USAF in March 1973 and the couple made Alamogordo, New Mexico their home. Mary worked several jobs early in their marriage before the couple's family grew in size. She was a devout Catholic, a wonderful homemaker and dedicated herself to supporting her husband and family. After her children were raised, she worked at the Desert Aire Best Western as a front desk clerk until the couple's final retirement in 1983. This beautiful couple shared their lives together for 69 years until Mary's husband passed away on December 21, 2015.

Mary and her husband were both active members of St. Jude Parish. Her hobbies were numerous. She was an excellent bowler and played on many teams with her husband. She had a passion for the outdoors and always had the most spectacular flower gardens. Mary enjoyed daily crossword puzzles, playing Scrabble, watching the Chicago Cubs and Dallas Cowboys, her two favorite teams. She was an avid reader, a phenomenal baker, known for her wonderful desserts, but foremost a mother and grandmother who loved spending time with her family.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents Martin and Mary Horvath, her husband Gary Garofano, her brother Steve and sister Veronica.

Survivors include her children: Michael Garofano and wife, Kerry; Stephen Garofano and wife, Sharon; Sandra Paulus and husband, Richard; Mary Reynolds and husband, Sean; Patricia Silva and husband, Tommy; along with numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She left a lasting legacy and will forever be loved by all her family.

A funeral Mass and Rosary will be held on March 12, 2022, at St. Jude Parish, 1404 College Avenue, Alamogordo, NM. The Rosary will be recited at 10:15 a.m. followed by Mass at 11:00 a.m. Inurnment will be at St. Jude Parish Columbarium with a reception immediately following at the Church Hall. 

If desired, a donation may be made to Alamogordo Home Health Care and Hospice, Inc., 1859 Indian Wells Road, Alamogordo, NM 88310 or a charity of your choice in memory of Mary V. Garofano.

The Garofano family has entrusted their loved one to the care of Scenic Chapel to direct the funeral services.
 

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