Mary Ann (Griffin) Alioto of Sag Harbor died at home on December 20 after a long battle with lung cancer. She was 77.
Born in Brooklyn on March 19, 1936, to Mary and Joseph Paulinski, she became the big sister to Jeanette and Joseph as they lived their childhood on the Northside. She retired from Southampton (Todds) Nursing Home, where she worked with her future daughter-in-law, Rosemary, in the recreation department. A devoted grandmother to Michaela and Sean Griffin, and Erin Connolly-Griffin, she loved to spoil them with gifts and crafts she made. Survivors said she cherished the time she spent with them and her family during trips and holidays.
As a resident of Sag Harbor and Southampton over many years, she touched the hearts of many people, survivors said, adding that she truly cared about the lives of everyone she knew. Survivors said the care and concern her friends showed her toward the end of her life was heartwarming.
She was predeceased by her first husband, Harry D. Griffin, and firstborn son, Terrance Griffin.
She is survived by her second husband of 25 years, Vincent; two sons, John Griffin and wife Rosemary, and Timothy Griffin; her sister and best friend, Jeanette Nilsson; as well as many nieces and nephews and their families.
A funeral service was held on January 4 at the O’Connell Funeral Home in Southampton. A private interment will follow in the spring.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, www.stjude.org.
on Jan 6, 2014