Mary Therese Vaccarino

Mary Therese Vaccarino ,91, died peacefully on Tuesday, April 3 at her Hemet home. She was born and raised in St. Louis, Mo. where she resided until she married and had her second child. At that point Mary and her husband, Joe, uprooted their family to Garden Grove, California and had 7 more children. In 1972 they moved the family to Hemet where they became the owners of the "Pride of Italy" restaurant , which was eventually moved to San Jacinto. It was family owned and operated for 14 1/2 years. Soon after the sell of the business, Mary was hired by the Hemet USD where she worked her way up to the office manager of Helen Hunt Jackson Adult school. She lived in Hemet for the last 45 years.

Mary enjoyed country line dancing and even participated in the "Oldlympics" for seniors citizens. She produced many beautiful paintings, loved playing her organ, and took ukulele lessons. She never forgot birthdays and until the last few years, she would phone her children on their special days and serenaded them with the birthday song accompanied by her ukulele.

Mrs. Vaccarino was a parishioner of Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church.

Mary is survived by four daughters, Linda Wilson (her husband Kenneth) of Oklahoma, Mari Lee (her husband, John Purchase) of Menifee, Laure Parker (her partner, David Applegarth) of Hemet, and Kathi Beatty of Jurupa Valley. Also survived by 3 sons, Tony (his wife Robyn) of Hemet, Joe, (his wife Amy) also of Hemet, and Ron of San Diego; nineteen grandchildren, eighteen great grandchildren; a brother, Bernie Kutz (his wife Geri) of Illinois, a sister,Betty Hinkamp of St. Louis, Mo, and many many nieces and nephews. Mary was predeceased by her husband, Joe and two sons, Michael and Donald.

Miss Me But Let Me Go

When I come to the end of the road,
and the sun has set for me.
I want no rites in a gloom-filled room.
Why cry for a soul set free?
Miss me a little—but not too long,
and not with your head bowed low.
Remember the love that was once shared.
Miss me, but let me go.

For this is a journey we all must take, and each must go alone.
It’s all a part of the master’s plan, a step on the road to home.
When you are lonely and sick of heart, go to the friends we know.
Bear your sorrow in good deeds. Miss me, but let me go.

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