Mary Jane Talerico

Mary Jane Talerico, age 90 of Cheshire, passed away on Saturday, May 10, 2025 at Yale New Haven Hospital, Saint Raphael Campus with her two daughters by her side. For over 60 years she was the loving and devoted wife of the late Robert L. Talerico, until his passing in 2018.

Mary Jane was born June 27,1934 in Utica, NY, to Italian immigrants, the late Pasquale and Mary (Ruggiero) Pacciarelli, and was an only child. She graduated from Utica Free Academy (UFA) in 1952 where she met her husband in sophomore English class. From a young age, Mary Jane developed a strong work ethic while employed in her family’s neighborhood grocery store; a value she fostered in her children. In 1956 Mary Jane graduated from Utica University (fka Utica College) where she earned a bachelor's degree in education and began teaching 3rd grade at Miller School in Utica, NY.

Mary Jane married her high school sweetheart in 1958 and moved to East Lansing, MI where she taught 3rd grade until her first child was born. From 1961-1963 they moved to Ft. Johnson (fka Ft. Polk), LA and Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX while Bob served in the Army. In 1964 they relocated to Harrisonburg, VA and in 1966 Mary Jane and Bob settled in Cheshire, built their home and raised three children. For more than three decades she was a well-loved substitute teacher in the Cheshire Public Schools and taught CCD (religious education) for St. Bridget of Sweden Parish.

Mary Jane took pride in caring for her family and was a loving and dedicated mother. She had a hot meal on the table each night, made all baked goods from scratch, and packed homemade lunches each day. She was an accomplished seamstress and sewed clothes for her children including outfits for Easter, Christmas and Halloween. Mary Jane was known to take her pajama clad children to the drive-in or swimming at Copper Valley in the summer. She made pizza dough on Saturdays, special Sunday roast dinners, grilled cheese and tomato soup for TV watching, fresh cookies in the morning so her husband could take them to work and packed special beach picnics. Mary Jane took her children on trips to Utica to visit relatives and let them catch fireflies in the yard in their pajamas. She was selfless and always made sure her children had what they needed even if it meant she had to go without. Mary Jane loved all animals and instilled in her children and grandchildren to be kind to all living things. The answer was always “yes” when one of her children came home with an animal or a friend. She was compassionate, thoughtful, sensitive, unselfish and had a beautiful and warm smile. Loved by all who knew her, Mary Jane laughed easily and created a home where friends and animals were embraced.

As empty nesters Mary Jane and her husband enjoyed attending traditional jazz concerts and going for rides along the shore. She looked forward to spending time with her grandchildren and watching them grow up. She loved the annual trips with her husband to Kentucky and Missouri to see them and was excited when they came to Cheshire to visit. Mary Jane was an avid reader of historical fiction, read the New Haven Register cover to cover every day and looked forward to Thursdays when the Cheshire Herald arrived in the mailbox. She had an affinity for all things sweet: Italian pastry, ice cream with nuts and donuts and cookies from Whitney Donut. In recent years she enjoyed watching Hallmark movies and musicals and listening to her favorite singers with her daughters.

Her family would like to thank the staff at YNHH Saint Raphael’s Campus, who cared for Mary Jane over the past three years, especially Dr. Ramnath Hebbar, and most recently, Dr. Colin Brien and Dr. Nora Segar. To her at home caregivers, Abida, Mymy and Ruki, the family is eternally grateful for your loving and compassionate care.

Mary Jane is the beloved mother of Richard L. Talerico (Elizabeth) of Wildwood, MO; Robin A. Storrs and Christine M. Talerico, both of Cheshire; eight grandchildren: William, Ian, and Olivia Storrs; Michael Talerico (Christina); Caitlin Lucas (Bo); Mairin Querciagrossa (Joseph); Aidan Talerico; and Kieran Talerico; her seven great-grandchildren: Avery, Riley and Jackie Talerico; Patrick and George Querciagrossa; and Evie and Emmie Lucas. She also leaves behind her loyal and loving feline and canine companions Tuppy and Sunshine.

Friends may greet Mary Jane’s family at the Alderson-Ford Funeral Home, 615 So. Main Street, Cheshire CT 06410 on Wednesday, May 14, 2025 from 5PM until 7PM. On Thursday, May 15, 2025 her funeral procession will leave the funeral home at 9:15AM for a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10AM at St. Bridget of Sweden Parish-St. Bridget Church, 175 Main Street, Cheshire. Burial will follow at Cheshire Hillside Cemetery, Wallingford Rd., Cheshire. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to Friends of Feral Cheshire Cats at www.feralct.org. To leave online condolences for her family, please visit www.fordfh.com