Mary Loraine Mortellaro's Obituary
Mary Loraine Mortellaro,84 passed away at St. Joseph’s Hospital with family by her side on March 5, 2025.
She had suffered with Lewy Body dementia and lung cancer. Loraine was born on April 30, 1940 in Tampa, FL (Ybor City) to Charles Otis Gonzales and Gladys Louise Thompson.
Loraine graduated from Plant High School. She married Salvatore “Sam” Giuseppe Mortellaro on July 28,1956 and they were married 48 years when he passed away. Loriane had a realtor license and Insurance broker license. She ran her own insurance brokerage firm for many years prior to retirement. She was a very strong independent woman.
As children of an Airforce Sargent, Loraine and her sister Kerry Johnson traveled all over the world. Loraine considered herself an Airforce Brat. Loraine and her husband both attended St Joseph’s Catholic School and encouraged her children to send their children to catholic school as well (and we did)
Loraine was a member of St. Josephs Catholic church where she was a member of the Ladies Guild as well as a lector and a Eucharistic Minister for many years. Loraine loved all animals, gardening, camping, going to the beach and walking in the park with her daughter-in-law, Jodie.
Loriane loved her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren with all of her heart. To them she was known as Grandma, Mema, and Grammy. She never missed an opportunity to support their interests and would often be found attending softball games in West Tampa and baseball games in Zephyrhills. As well as soccer and cheerleading at Tampa Catholic. And never missed a grand parent’s day, school celebration or school play at Villa Madonna.
After retiring Loriane dedicated her time to taking care of her grandchildren watching them full time and enjoying the time spent watching them learn and grow. Loraine was survived by two of her children, Darlene Lesko, (Jim), Jason Mortellaro Sr., (Jodie) and daughter in law, Sandy. Her six grandchildren, Amy Schenker,(Brian),Stephanie Koons, (Greg), Ashley Franchino, (Jerry),Jason Mortellaro Jr., (Erika), Nicole Lesko, Joseph Mortellaro, (Jazmine).
Also survived by her ten great grandchildren, Jocelyn Frometa, Giovanni Frometa, Madison Schenker, Emelee Schenker, Lorelai Koons, Jesse Koons, Melina Mortellaro, Francisca “Cessa” Franchino, Selena Mortellaro, and Joseph Mortellaro Jr. Nephew Travis Johnson, (Victoria) and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Master Sargent Charles Otis and Gladys Gonzales, her husband of 48 years, Sam Mortellaro, her son Larry Charles “Chuck” Mortellaro, as well as her sister, Kerry Johnson.
On March 12, 2025 A visitation will be held at Boza & Roel Funeral home 4730 N. Armenia Ave. Tampa, FL 33603 from 11a.m.- 12p.m. Followed by a service from 12pm-1pm. Entombment at 1:30pm Centro Espanol Cemetery 4601 E. Lake Ave. Tampa, FL 33610.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Humane Society of Tampa Bay in Loraine’s honor.
Donation link is below:
https://hstb.givecloud.co/product/Donate/help-save-lives
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