Mary Ann DeGaetano March 7, 1929 - March 4, 2016

Mary Ann DeGaetano of Sisters passed away peacefully on March 4, at St. Charles Medical Center in Bend. She was 86.

Mary was born March 7, 1929, in Brooklyn, New York, to Jack and Sara (Patero) DiSalvo. In 1951, she married her high school sweetheart, Benny DeGaetano. Immediately after getting married, she and Benny left Brooklyn and traveled across the country, landing at Edwards Air Force Base in the Mojave Desert.

Mary was a military wife, supporting her husband and his career in the Air Force, traveling throughout the United States and Japan. Upon Benny's retirement from the Air Force, she and Benny moved to Sisters and started the MB Cattle Ranch.

Mary was a devoted mother to her two sons, and as their families grew, her love grew along with them. Her family knew they could always drop in and be treated to an authentic Italian feast with take-home goodies for the road. This was just a small example of Mary's true spirit of giving.

Mary was an active member of St. Edward the Martyr Catholic Church in Sisters and always shared with her family the joy she got from the Alter Society at St. Edward's.

Mary is survived by her husband, Benny DeGaetano of Sisters; eldest son, John (wife Virginia) DeGaetano of Salem; younger son, Jim (wife Patty) DeGaetano of San Diego, CA; three grandchildren, Joyce, Tara and Jake; and one great-grandchild, Ava. Other survivors include her sister Christine of Brooklyn, New York.