Mary Anne Juliano

On May 30, 2016, Mary Anne Juliano, 85, of Plattsburgh, New York, peacefully left behind all earthly treasures and trials in favor of New Life. A native of Rockford, Illinois, Mary Anne attend Washington High School for two years before transferring to Bishop Muldoon High School, paying her tuition with Bingo winnings, even giving half to her mother. Later she worked in her brothers’ electrical company T Four, and instructed ballroom dancing at Arthur Murray Dance Studios. After her 1955 marriage to Joseph A. Juliano, Mary Anne keep books at the family business, Juliano’s Food Mart, and for a time, at the Rockford Chamber of Commerce. After selling the grocery store, Mary Ann was the social services secretary for Rockford Memorial Hospital.
Mary Anne’s passion for acting was ignited when she was five years old and won $5.00 for singing Pennies from Heaven onstage at a local carnival. She performed in school productions during her youth, and then, from the mid 70s through the 90s, Mary Anne participated in at least 20 of Rockford’s live theater productions, playing such memorable roles as Rosie Brice in Funny Girl, Madame Armfeldt in A Little Night Music, and Auntie Em in the Wizard of Oz with her white toy poodle Gulliver stealing the show playing the part of Toto. One of her favorites was her Shirley Temple On the Good Ship Lollipop imitation, which brought down the house.
Mary Anne was an accomplished seamstress who created everything from cozy infant ware to fancy dresses for her grandchildren, even designing a stunning wedding gown for a beloved niece. She enjoyed flower gardening, dancing, oil painting, playing Jalousie on the piano, church choir, swimming, cooking and baking, and especially taking time for family and friends. Mary Anne loved to travel, making visits to her children and grandchildren whenever possible and even once visiting the homeland Italy. After losing her beloved husband Joe in 2009, Mary Anne courageously moved to the Denver, Colorado area in 2011 to be near relatives. In 2013 she relocated to Plattsburgh, where she remained under the watchful eye of her daughter Lisa. She spent the last months of her life happily at the Samuel F. Vilas home where she was soon recognized for her superb ability at crossword puzzles and trivia, and for her knowledge of song lyrics. She always said that her sense of humor was her greatest blessing and was even joking with Vilas Home staff literally minutes before her passing.
Mary Anne was preceded by her parents Peter and Antonia Triolo, by her husband Joseph
Juliano, and by six of her siblings. Her memory will be cherished by her children, Lisa Contini and Jerry Juliano, by her grandchildren Giuseppe (Joe) Contini, Giovanna Morrow, and Regina Contini, by her great granddaughter Eden Maria Morrow, and by her sole surviving brother Dominic Triolo, by sister-in-laws, nieces and nephews, many friends, and by the kind, capable, and dedicated staff at the Vilas Home.
Visitation will be at 9:00 A.M., on Monday, June 20, 2016 at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 1010 Ferguson Street in Rockford, Illinois. Immediately afterward, a Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M.. A graveside service will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Rockford.
Mary Anne certainly would be delighted by any donations made in her behalf to the Samuel F. Vilas home in Plattsburgh, New York. Arrangements have been entrusted to Heald Funeral Home, 48 Court Street, Plattsburgh. To light a memorial candle or leave an online condolence please visit www.healdfuneralhomeinc.com