Mary K. Scavo

Mary Katherine Scavo passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends on Sunday, May 24, 2015. Mary was only three months away from celebrating her 99th birthday. She lived in her own home until a week prior to her passing.

Mary was born to Mary Rose (Rizzutti) and Charles Amodeo on August 30, 1916 in Des Moines. She was a life time member of St. Anthony Catholic Church and a proud graduate of Lincoln High School. In 1939 when she married Sam Scavo, they became loving partners in life as well as in business. Mary worked side by side with her husband at the Scavo Supermarket for 44 years. After she retired, Mary worked two or three days a week at the Scavo Sausage Store. She enjoyed keeping the tradition alive and being with her coworkers. She also tended her flower garden, ironed for everyone in the family, baked delicious cakes for family, friends and even strangers. No holidays were complete without “Gram’s” pastachina made with the best red sauce in Des Moines!

One of the things she enjoyed most was cruising around town with her devoted sidekick and daughter in-law Marijo. These trips sometimes ended at The Meadows, but almost everyone in the family was persuaded at one time or another to take “Grams” to the casino when she felt lucky. Mary was a sports enthusiast who followed everything from golf to football, but her favorite teams were Notre Dame and Dowling. She and her son, Victor, listened or watched every Dowling and Notre Dame game by calling back and forth during the progress of the game. Her beloved grandsons also knew that whatever sport they played “GG” would be enthusiastically cheering for them.

Mary’s faith was always important to her and is what she relied on when her son, Vincent, died unexpectedly. Her last words were prayers of the rosary. We know that after her long, productive life, she is at peace, but we are sadly missing her kind and loving presence. However, we take comfort in knowing that she will always be with us in our memories and in our hearts.

She leaves behind her son, Victor and wife, Penni; daughter in-law, Marijo Scavo; grandson, Vincent Joseph Scavo and wife, Trish, granddaughter, Kathy Wagner and husband, Dave, granddaughter, Elizabeth Hembd and husband, Brian of Scottsdale, AZ., granddaughter, Laura Scavo also of Scottsdale, AZ., granddaughter in-law, Karen Harris Scavo and grandson, Chuck Scavo; three great-grandsons, Vinnie Scavo, Joey Scavo and Anthony Scavo; her sister, Rose Kelley and husband, Veer of Mason City; devoted friend, Carol Baker; and many cherished nephews, nieces and friends.

Those who preceded her in death were her beloved husband, Sam; her beloved son, Vincent Charles Scavo; her parents, three brothers and four sisters.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 29, 2015 at St. Anthony Catholic Church, 15 Indianola Road. She will be laid to rest at Glendale Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 28, 2015 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. with a 7:30 p.m. Rosary at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home, 5400 SW 9th Street.

Memorials may be directed to St. Anthony Catholic School for school improvements.

Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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