Maria "Mary" Mandato went to be with the Lord on Thursday July 29, 2021, to join her beloved husband, Raffaele "Ralph" , who preceded her in death.  Also preceded in death were her parents and her siblings, Ida, Giuseppe, Franco, and Rosetta.  Mary was born in Naples, Italy on September 17, 1931 to Alessandro and Adele Frate.

Mary immigrated with Ralph and three daughters from Naples, Italy. Mary and Ralph met in Naples in 1951 and they married in 1953.  In their 70 years together, they had the opportunity to travel the world.

Mary was quite industrious, talented, creative, driven, a born leader, fierce, independent, and never idle.  She was a superb clothes designer and seamstress always outfitting her daughters in the latest fashions.  She was an outstanding chef where friends and family were always welcome at her table offering a ten-course meal in the span of an evening.  As baking was not her passion, she complimented and relegated those duties to Ralph's skills as an international pastry chef.

Against Ralph's wishes, she learned to drive, took classes at a local community college, and accepted a management position in an elementary school cafeteria in the KC School District. This fulfilled her passion for the love of cooking, nutrition and of taking care of children.  At Mary's school no child went without a meal whether they were able to pay for it or not.  She was legendary in the school system for her management, leadership, and cooking skills to magically create a gourmet meal that children, staff, and vendors would go out of their way to stop by when meals were being served.  Mary was also generous of spirit and would always be buying coats, shoes, or clothing for a child who was in need.

Over the years she met several children she helped, and they told her what a profound difference she had made in their life.  She was a devout Christian and attended church regularly until her death.  Mary will always be remembered for her smile, laughter and how she cared for others.  Mary was not thrilled at turning 90 as she said, "that just sounded too old"!  With her natural dark hair and a beautiful smile, she did not age.  God granted her prayer as she passed away peacefully at the age of 89!

Mary is survived by her three daughters: Claudia (Mike Harp) of Overland Park, KS, Giovanna (Michael Leahy) of Budapest, Hungary, Silvana Mandato (Dahlquist) and Mary's two grandsons Raef and Drew Dahlquist of Kansas City, MO.  She also had an extended family in the Harp and Leahy families and her many nieces and nephews all residing in Italy and abroad.

The family will hold a private service on Monday, August 2, 2021 at Passantino Bros. Funeral Home followed by internment at Terrace Park Cemetery.  Services will be live streamed beginning at 10:00 AM at www.facebook.com/passantinobros .  Mary's final wishes were that should you feel in your heart to donate on her behalf, that you donate to a worthy children's cause of your choosing.

Condolences may be offered at www.passantinobros.com