"My dear sister, Mary, my sister, my friend, my mentor. She taught me so many things good and bad. Always made me laugh even when I was upset. Every December we would go on a shop 'till you drop" trip to Macy's to buy gifts for everyone. There are so many things we did together that I could never list them all. My children adored and loved her. She was so generous to all of them. Marge and I will never forget her pulling up in our driveway, on the 4th of July, playing John Phillip Sousa marches blaring on her radio. The list can go on and on and my love for her will continue forever. Thank you Jack for taking such good care of her during her time of need. Mary, I know you are in a better place now, and at peace. Give the family with you now a hug from me. "
In loving memory of
Maria Aurelia "Mary" Gross
January 31, 1932 - October 3, 2012
Maria "Mary" Aurelia Malizia Gross , 80, of Ambler, died Wednesday, October 3, 2012 in the St. Joseph Villa in Flourtown.
Born in Philadelphia, she was the daughter of the late Peter and Rosina (nee Garritano) Malizia. She was preceded in death by her step son Matthew Gross in and her brother Nicholas Malizia.
She was the owner of Maria Aurelia Hair Style in Ambler from 1987 until her retirement in 2006. Prior to being located in Ambler, Mary owned and operated Mary Hair Style in Germantown, and then, Maria Aurelia Hair Style in Abington.
Mrs. Gross was a graduate of the Little Flower Catholic High School for Girls, Class of 1950 and was on the Board of Directors Eastern Montgomery County Vo-Tech Cosmetology Department.
Mary is survived by her beloved husband of 39 years, Jack Gross of Ambler and her devoted step son Mark Gross. She is also survived by her sisters Loretta Zaski, Connie Hoch, and Irene Lojeski, and her brother, John Maliza. Mary was the loving step grandmother ofJennifer Magent and step great grandmother of Jacalyn, and Shealyn Magent. She also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Relatives and Friends are invited to call on Sunday, October 7, 2012 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Anton B. Urban Funeral Home, 1111 S. Bethlehem Pike, Ambler, and 9:00 to 10:00 AM Monday, October 8th at St. Joseph's Church, 16 S. Spring Garden Street, Ambler. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10:00 AM. Interment will be Private.
Remembrances in her name to Little Flower Catholic High School for Girls,1000 West Lycoming Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140 or St. Joseph's Villa-Flourtown, 110 West Wissahickon Avenue, Flourtown, PA 19031 would be appreciated by the family.
Tributes may be made at www.UrbanFuneralHome.com
Tributes
"I came to work for you right out of beauty school in 1970. you were always encouraging to me and became a wonderful friend all these years. I always said I have you to thank for where I am today. I enjoyed especially all the dinners we sahred no too long ago. I will miss you and think of you often. I love you, Muriel Spiece"
"I've known you for such a long time, as a neighbor, friend, hair dresser... out going and friendly toward everyone!! You'll be missed by all. Mary Jo Jordan"
"Never forgetting our enjoyable Thursdays Together...never forgetting YOU! Sadly missed...Cass Drake"
"As I read all the caring tributes to you, Mary, I'm crying for our loss of one who gave us all so much love and encouragement! You had a good life; and later, when in such discomfort and pain, you were still always happy to hear from us and/or be our lunch "hostess", along with Jack's help, to get us together! I know we all feel blessed to have had you in our lives. Rest in peace, my lovely lady. Barbara Lavinson"
"Grand mom Mary, I remember the first time I met you when I came to visit after Jacquelyn was born. You welcomed us all with open arms and spoiled the girls and matt and I with so much love. I wish we could have spent more time together. But I know one day I will see you again. We will always love and miss you so very much. Xoxo"
"Maria Aurelia, such a fancy name for a wonderful lady! When we were kids in the 1960s we'd go to Mary's shop and have so much fun, getting haircuts, eating Chinese food and candy. You always had fun at Mary's! She had that wonderful laugh and was always bustling around, taking care of everyone, her mom and even the cat, FluffaMaliz, as her mom would say. And her handwriting, so fancy! She signed my wedding book on the top line, 'So everyone can see I was there!' Mary gave me my first haircut in 1957 and my daughter, Christine, her first haircut in 1985 (at 6 days old!) She really loved everyone. She was such good friends with my mom, Nancy, and was her maid of honor. Every anniversary she would send my mom a card with either violets on it (her favorite flower) or 'Blue Velvet', my parent's song. What a sweet, sweet, person. Mary, we love you and Jack, I am so glad that you and Mary had so many happy years together."
"...meaning, of course, Rest In Peace--you have been through so much. Love you Mary 'Maliz'"
"I have many memories of Mary going as far back as visiting her at the Poconos, to just a few years ago when her and Jack were able to make it to my parents', Nancy and Jack Goudy, 50th Anniversary party. She was such a wonderful best friend to my Mother, also her Maid of Honor. I loved her laugh and that Philly accent! I got a kick out of them shaving their fluffy cat to look like a lion. She loved her pets, her family, her friends and her salon clients. I still have the lock of hair she cut from my first hair cut and the glass Easter basket from her. You will be missed Mary. I will always think of you when I see violets! Rest In Peace--you deserve it."
"A young child never forgets love given,or happy times shared with caring family .Matt and I felt that genuine love from you as we grew up. My regrets are not telling you enough. You weren,t just my step Mom you were my friend. I,ll be here for Dad and like he said , " I,ll always love you."
Mark Gross"
"A young child never forgets love given,or happy times shared with caring family .Matt and I felt that genuine love from you as we grew up. My regrets are not telling you enough. You weren,t just my step Mom you were my friend. I,ll be here for Dad and like he said , " I,ll always love you."
Mark Gross"
"Mary was the best! She always had a smile and treated our family like..family! A wonderful hairdresser and a wonderful friend to my mom. Many good memories... Mary, you will be missed - we love you!"
"my dearest mary,I will never forget our last few words we shared be fore you were going to St Josephs Villa. You seemed at peace knowing you would be going to a better place where there would be no more pain and suffering and you would finealy be back with Grandmom and Nicky who you talked about so often and missed so very much. We had our great times and not so great times together,like every other couple , I miss you already, and the boys keep looking for you when I ask them were you are. I'll always love and you. Jack"
"I will never forget the love and nurturing Mary gave to Matthew and Mark in those early years ,even before she married Jack.She had such a giving spirit and the boys came to love and respect her very much. I can still see the day her and Jack brought the boys there first two wheel bicycles.She was as happy as they were. I have only good things to remember.Embrace Matthew for me. God is with you today and always. Lynn Keen"
"I have so many great memories of growing up with aunt mare and spending time with her in the pocono's .One of my favorites is when she frosted my hair for the first time when I was 12. I still remember moms reaction when I came home. Whenever her & mom were together all we did was laugh. We will miss her very much & she will always have a place in our heart. She was a great person & I know her & mom are watching over us. "
"Mary was always full of love and laughter, so thoughtful in sending cards and notes, and such a lifelong friend of the Goudy family. We love you and will miss your Philly accent and warm laughter!"
"Mary was a wonderful friend to my mom, Nancy Powlus Goudy, and to all of us Goudy girls. She cut all of our hair! For years, she sent toy Hess trucks to my son Steve for Christmas. She always had a beautiful smile on her face. She will be missed!"
"I have many memories of my dear sweet Aunt Mary. I was able to spend summers with her because she lived on the same streeet as my Aunt Rita who I stayed with during the summer. Uncle Jack and Aunt Mary always had us over for dinners. I remember putting too much detergent in the washer and water and bubbles filled the entire room....Aunt Mary just giggled-- I thought that was great! I loved that about her. I remember wearing these huge bibs like you wear when you eat crabs at a restaurant when would eat spaghetti, because she said we
would make a mess- thats becasue she taught us how to eat spaghetti!! She always made us laugh...she was so paient with Grandmom and I loved that. I loved her cats Chris and Fluffy. I loved spending time with her at her shop. I remember many times at the mountain house, oh what fun. I remember the "blue light special" in the basement!
She even taught me how to fold a fitted sheet for my bed. Aunt Mary was so giving and will be missed."
" Dear Mary,thankyou for all the love you showed me(your brother John) and my family,I'll will be thinking of you always and will miss you with all my heart."