Mary Elizabeth Chilelli (Hughes) Service Information

Mary E. Chilelli, 85, of Philadelphia, passed away peacefully on Thursday January 13, 2022 surrounded by her loving family. She is survived by her beloved husband Valentino J. Chilelli, with whom she shared 64 years filled with friendship, love, and laughter; her two children Valerie Gross (Michael) and Michael Chilelli (Linda); four grandchildren Christopher (Maggie), Matthew (Jill), Chelsea (James), and Nicholas (Taylor); two great-granddaughters Lily and Sofie; and three siblings Anne Frantz, Maureen Ulsh, and John Hughes as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her dear siblings Theresa, Rose, Thomas, Jean, Joseph, Kathleen, and Patrick.

Mary was born on January 16, 1936 in Mackeysburg, PA and came from humble beginnings. She was the daughter of the late Daniel and Susan (Ryan) Hughes, who raised all eleven of their children in the Irish Catholic faith. In her youth, Mary was an excellent swimmer, ice skater, and she loved to dance.

After moving to Philadelphia, Mary began working at Keebler’s where she met the love of her life, Val. They were married on September 7, 1957 in St. Joachim’s Church. She devoted her life to raising their two children, whom she loved dearly. She was always there for school activities, sports, cheerleading, and scouting. Family was everything to Mary, and she provided her children with so many wonderful memories that they are eternally grateful for. Her kind and gentle heart will live on in them always.

After raising her children, Mary spent 26 years working for the Sears Roebuck credit department.

After her retirement she enjoyed reading, taking long walks, going bowling, and cooking. She also loved traveling, and she spent many years traveling the country and enjoying several cruises with her husband, Val, and their close friends Pat and Jim.

Mary adored her grandchildren, and she reveled in every opportunity she had to spend with them and watch them grow into the adults she was so proud of. Birthdays and holidays were always a celebration to be remembered, and she always made her family feel special and loved. Her grandchildren are incredibly fortunate to have had so many years with their devoted grandmother, and will always cherish her memory.

In addition to her grandchildren, God also blessed Mary with two beautiful great-granddaughters that were loved dearly and gave her so much joy. She will miss meeting her new great-grandson that is due in March, but we all know she will be watching over him.

Mary was a friend to everyone, and she lived an exemplary life through her Catholic faith. She was kind, caring, and always had a smile for everyone and knew how to make people laugh. Mary volunteered her time helping individuals with disabilities through the Knights of Columbus, and she was always willing to lend a hand to those who needed it. She was devoted to the Blessed Mother, and she prayed the rosary daily. She included all of us in her prayers.

Mary was our angel on earth, and now she is our angel in heaven. She impacted each of us in her own way, and we are all better people to have had her in our lives. Our family is heartbroken at our loss, but her memory will survive in all of us. She would not want us to be sad, but to celebrate all of the wonderful times she was able to give us. She loved each and every one of us immensely, as we love her.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00am Friday January 21, 2022 at St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church 535 Rhawn Street Philadelphia, PA, with interment to follow at Our Lady of Grace Cemetery in Langhorne, PA.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in Mary’s name to St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church, 535 Rhawn Street, Philadelphia, PA 19111 or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital https://www.stjude.org

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