Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory

Mary Elise Thornton Vallario “Leasy” passed away on August 24, 2024 with her husband and 6 children by her side.

She was the beloved wife for 65 years of Joseph F. Vallario, Jr.; mother of Angela Vallario (Howard Lenzer), Joseph F. Vallario, III (Lily), Anna Marcie Ferrante (Nick), Mary Elise Pesetsky (Ian), Lisa Romano (Antonio) and Christina Bellafiore (Ed); grandmother of Jacob, Ellie, Hannah and Daniel Pesetsky, Valarie and Brian Lenzer, Joseph, Annabella, Nicholas and Rosalia Ferrante, Anna, Joseph and Sophia Vallario, Lucia, Anthony, Christopher and Malina Bellafiore, Gianna, Antonio, Leonardo and Vincent Romano; sister of Martina Fowler (Mark) and the late Barbara, Cecelia and Kathy and aunt of Dr. Samuel Long. She is also survived by many other nieces, nephews and family members.

Born on July 25, 1939 in Washington, DC to the late Martin and Annabelle Thornton, Leasy was one of 5 daughters. She graduated from St. Cecelia’s High School and worked for 10 years with the Immigration and Naturalization Department before becoming a full-time Mother and Nana. Leasy enjoyed china painting, traveling with family and friends and taking care of the farm. The farm was always filled with love, laughter and lots of food around the big kitchen table. For more than 40 years she campaigned for her beloved husband, Joe. Family was important and she was extremely proud of her children and grandchildren who all regularly spent time with her on family beach vacations and at the river house where there were many celebrations. She enjoyed watching her daughters and granddaughters at horse shows. She loved attending her grandchildren’s dance and music recitals, gymnastics, plays, Irish dancing, lacrosse, baseball, hockey and soccer games. Each child and grandchild has a special “Nana” story because she made each one feel special in his or her own way. Recently she considered herself to be “treated like a queen” based on the daily care she received from her daughters, Marcie, Mary and Chrissy and gourmet dinners and visits from Angela, Joey and Lisa. She was extremely grateful for all the love and support she received from her nephew, Dr. Samuel Long, who she loved like a son. She had many blessings and she will be deeply missed by all. Leasy is now in heaven with her parents, sisters and other family and friends who have predeceased her where she can watch over us regardless of where we are. She was and will always be the rock of our family. Her loving and generous nature will carry on in each one of us who will strive to be more like “Nana” every day. Her kindness and funny personality touched the lives of everyone she met.

She will be deeply missed by all.

Friends are invited to celebrate Leasy's life at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD on Friday, August 30 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 8908 Old Branch Ave., Clinton, MD on Saturday, August 31 at 10 am. Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery in Clinton, MD.

Condolences may be made by using the Memories link on this page.

Mary "Leasy" Thornton Vallario

Mary "Leasy" Thornton Vallario

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