Canaseraga - Donna Marie Cardone Almeter, 67, of Canaseraga
passed away, succumbing to cancer on November 15, 2019 at The Vincent House,
Wayland. She was born on July 20, 1952
in Fort Indiantown Gap, PA, a daughter of late Mauro and Loretta Christoforetti
Cardone.
She volunteered for many things throughout her life. Among many other activities, she took care of
those dying of cancer at several Hospice locations, including the Batavia
Crossroads House, as well as fed and helped the homeless at St. Luke’s Mission
of Mercy Catholic Church in Buffalo. She
was President of the Wyoming County Cancer Society for 9 years, and hosted a
Family Type Home for Adults, caring for the mentally ill elderly for 21 years
in her own home.
Singing was one of her biggest passions in life. She started the choir at St. Joachim &
Ann’s (formerly, St. Joseph’s) Catholic Church and was the music director there
for many years. She professionally sang
for numerous weddings and funerals throughout her life, and for 2 years,
appeared many times on TV for Fox Network’s televised Masses singing with her
sister Maury.
Cosmetology was one of her other biggest passions. She was well known in the community for her
salon, Belladonna’s in Attica. She
learned much of what she knew from her time working at Putting on the Glitz in
Warsaw during her 30’s. She was hired to
do hair and makeup for many weddings throughout the course of her life, and
taught seminars about makeup at various colleges and universities. She also ordered and styled wigs for cancer
patients, and would do their makeup to feel more dignified.
Ultimately, her greatest passion in life was God. She got her Certified Religious Education
(CRE) certification and taught Catechism at St. Joachim & Ann’s Catholic
Church in Varysburg for many years.
During that time, she received a Pastoral Assistant Certification from
Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora.
Her love for evangelization touched hundreds of people due to her vast
knowledge, ability to convey the teachings of the faith in the most
comprehensible way, and by her life’s example.
She gave her faith-filled heart out to everyone she met, no matter whom
the person was or the circumstance surrounding their encounter. Her faith and love of evangelization paid
off since her greatest wishes were realized; to receive absolution as well as
all of the final sacraments moments before she passed, which were administered
by her son, Fr. Cory Mayer, as well as to be surrounded by her children.
Surviving is her fiancé, Chris Green of Canaseraga, her
children, Kurt (April) Mayer of CA., Fr. Cory Mayer of FL, Teresa Mayer of
Canaseraga, and Jessie Almeter of Saratoga Springs; her grandchildren, Scott
Ward of NC, Payton Mayer of CA, her siblings Roseanne (Colin) McGovern of
Henrietta, Maury (Mike LaVarnway) Fountain of Attica, Michael (Sydney) Cardone
of NC., Dominic (Chris) Cardone of MD., Daniel Cardone of Attica and many
nieces, nephews, and cousins.
In addition to her parents she was predeceased by a
grandson, Anthony Mayer. Family and friends may gather from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
on Friday, November 22, 2019 at the Kopler-Williams Funeral Home, 21 N. Genesee
Street, Fillmore and from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 23,
2019 in St. Patrick's Church, Fillmore where a Mass of Christian Burial will
follow at 1:00 p.m. Fr. Cory Mayer will be celebrant, Fr. Dennis JJ Mancuso,
Fr. John Cullen and Fr. Robert Moreno will be concelebrating. Burial will be in
Holy Cross Cemetery, Fillmore.
In lieu of flowers memorials if desired to: St. Mary’s
Catholic Church, 6 North Street, Canaseraga, NY 14822.
Special thanks to St. James Mercy Hospital in Hornell and
The Vincent House for providing care and aid to Donna in her final months.