Mary Perrone

Mary Perrone, 89, passed away peacefully on March 1, 2026, with her daughters by her side. Born in Tampa on January 5, 1937, she was the second of two children born to Paul and Carmen DiPietra. Mary grew up in Ybor City, where she remained proud of her Italian heritage throughout her life. She attended Jefferson High School, graduating in 1954, and it was there she met the love of her life, Tony.

Mary worked for many years as an administrative assistant at Hillsborough High School before retiring in 1997. A devout Catholic, she had been a member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church since 1961 and was actively involved in the Tampa community through various social and service organizations. She was a past member of Las Damas de Sant Yago, an honorary member of the Davis Islands Garden Club, and belonged to the Red Hats and BBC Saturday Coffee Club. She enjoyed her weekly card games with the “Golden Girls” at her friend Nora’s house and monthly luncheons with the “Birthday Group.”

Above all, Mary found her greatest joy in her family. She cherished time spent with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, faithfully attending their football games, baseball games, and dance recitals. Known affectionately as “Nana” to her grandchildren and many of their friends, she treasured her close relationships with cousins and lifelong friends. Mary greeted the world with a warm smile and an open heart, never meeting a stranger. She was a beautiful person inside and out, beloved as a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 39 years, Tony Perrone; her parents, Paul and Carmen DiPietra; and her brother, Joe DiPietra. Mary is survived by her daughters, Toni Marie Perrone and Patty Gonzalez-Roel; grandchildren, AJ Gonzalez-Roel and Teresa Alvarez (Dax); great-grandchildren, Vincent Gonzalez-Roel, Luna, Luca, and Rocco Alvarez; Janet Cruz; and her best friend of more than 75 years, Nora Lamb.