Mary Josephine Shema

MARY JOSEPHINE SHEMA (nee Rossi), age 88, passed away on April 29, 2023 after spending a peaceful day with her children. She was the beloved wife, sweetheart and polka partner of the late Albert Shema; loving daughter of the late Alfredo and Lucille Rossi; dear mother of Joanne Sammon, Linda Shema, Loretta (John) Hoy, Allen (Stacy) Shema, Andrea (Ken) Polcyn, and Timothy (Yunyoung) Shema; loving grandmother of Jason (Jenna), Liam, Erin, Zachary, Tyler, Jackson, Jessica and Sophie; great-grandmother of Carter, Quinn, Keaton and Crawford; sister of Josephine Girolamo (Carlo deceased), Rosalie Bonadio (Joe) (both deceased), Michael Rossi (deceased) (Jeri), Thomas Rossi (Carole), and Lucy Cline (deceased); dear sister-in-law, aunt, great-aunt, and friend to so many. In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital https://www.stjude.org . Born and raised in Cleveland, Mary was the oldest of six siblings. She met Albert at the Fraternal Order of Eagles in 1957, and from then on it was love and “fascination”. Her and Al were a united front in everything from raising their children, to tag teaming as secretaries for the Eagle Aerie and Eagle Ladies Auxiliary. Her and Al loved to travel and even after his passing in 1992, she continued to stay involved with the Eagles and her church, traveling to Europe and multiple Eagle conference destinations with friends. Mary was a devoted friend and a fierce protector of her family. She enjoyed a lifelong career in banking, taking a 16-year hiatus only to raise her six children. She retired from KeyBank at 75. She will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Thomas More Church 4170 N. Amber Dr. Brooklyn, Thursday, May 4, 2023 at 10 AM. Interment Holy Cross Cemetery. Please join us in celebrating her life at THE RIPEPI FUNERAL HOME, 5762 PEARL RD. (AT SNOW RD.), WEDNESDAY 3 – 7 PM.