Mary DeWitt

Mary DeWitt, age 96, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 8, 2021 at Tidewell Hospice House in Sarasota, FL.  She was born in Baltimore, MD and moved to New York at a young age. She married Vincent Paparatto, a D-Day invasion participant. They had a daughter (Rosemary) and son (Joseph). Vincent passed away in 1961. Mary had a long and distinguished work career as an administrator for Grumman Aerospace Corporation in Bethpage, NY, where she met and married her beloved husband, Carroll DeWitt. Upon her retirement, they moved to Sarasota. She leaves a cherished legacy as a loving and caring mother, stepmother, aunt, sister, cousin, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great grandmother and friend to many. 

Mary displayed a kind and compassionate spirit and had a wonderful gift of being generous to a fault. She was a down to earth person gaining joy through life's simple pleasures: chatting with friends and family, cooking, SHOPPING (please note this is in capital letters for a reason) and spending quality time with her family. Mary had a strong demeanor and made sure that her opinion was given in every situation (the word stubborn, may come to mind), but always with the intention of helping others by doing what she thought was best for those she loved. Mary was kind and thoughtful and could reach others in a deep and positive way.

She is survived by her sister, Elena Lloyd, her daughter Rosemary Masillo and husband Thomas, her son Joseph Paparatto and wife Robin Rosen, her stepchildren and spouses, Barbara and William Holmes, Lawrence and Janet DeWitt, William and Susan DeWitt, her grandchildren, Griffin and Harrison Paparatto, her 10 step-grandchildren and her 18 step-great grandchildren and 2 step-great great grandchildren. Mary is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and even more extended family members.

Family, friends and others whose lives Mary touched are invited to reminisce, share their grief, make a donation in her memory to the Humane Society of Sarasota or St Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Mary's service will take place on April 6th at 2:30 Sarasota National Cemetery 9810 State Rd. 72 Sarasota, FL 34241.