Violanda M. Mariano

Violanda Peters Mariano died Monday, May 4, 2015 surrounded by her daughter and granddaughters, Shannon Covington and Arin Hendrix. Born and raised in Watkins Glen, NY, on Seneca Lake, she lived most of her life in Owego, NY and for the past 8 years resided in Buford, GA. Vi, as known by her friends, was predeceased by her parents, Frank and Pauline Peters, step-mother Loretta Peters, brothers Jim and John Peters, all of Watkins Glen; and her beloved husband of 57 years, Ned Mariano. Vi is survived by her sister, Louise Bartone, NY; daughter and son-in-law Kathleen (James) Thompson (GA), son and daughter in law Ron (Joyce) Mariano (FL), grandchildren Arin (Kerry) Hendrix and Shannon (Tom) Covington (GA), Josh (Valerie) Mariano (FL), Elizabeth (Chris) Ballard (NY); great-grandchildren Madison Rubino, Megan, Emma and Hunter Covington, and Carly Ballard; many nieces, nephews, and friends; and her dearest friend and companion, Gloria Bailey. Vi was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, Owego, NY and recently attended Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Buford, GA. Pastoral care has been given to Vi through her illnesses over the past five years by Hamilton Mill UMC. Retired from IBM Owego, Vi also worked at the Eclipse in Elmira, NY during WWII. Vi will be remembered for her kind and generous heart, her feisty personality, her contagious laugh, her fabulous Italian cooking and baking, and her love of flowers. Her family was her greatest love, her pride and her joy and we were blessed because she was ours. Her Memorial service will be held Saturday, May 9, 2015, at 11:00 am in the Chapel of Flanigan Funeral Home with Rev. Jason Mincey of Hamilton Mill UMC as officiant. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until time of service. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary's of the Lake, Watkins Glen, NY at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 3704, Memphis, TN 38173-9984. Heartfelt thanks go out to our friends and staff of Brookdale at Buford.