Mary J. (Hickey) DiRando

 Mary J. (Hickey) DiRando, 74, of Niles, was called home by Jesus Sunday morning unexpectedly with her husband by her side.

Mary was born September 9, 1950, in Youngstown, a daughter of the late Bernice Hickey.  She graduated from South High School in 1969. On July 22, 1972, she married the love of her life Henry R. DiRando.  They went on to raise three children together: Danny, Michael and Todd.

In early life Mary worked for the Mahoning County Sheriff’s department and was an auxiliary police officer for the city of Youngstown in the early 1980s. She was the creator, producer and writer for a TV program called “Help Me! USA” which focused on helping people around the world.

Mary loved crossword puzzles, afternoon drives, watching her favorite TV show “Little House on the Prairie,” but most of all she loved her family.  She attended “Beacon of Hope” church on Sundays along with her husband. 

Mary was preceded in death by her mother Bernice and a sister Phillis Ensor.

She leaves behind to cherish her memory her husband Henry, a brother Edward C. Hickey; her three sons Danny (Miroslava) DiRando of Campbell, Michael (Georgeann) DiRando of Lordstown, and Todd (Brittany) DiRando of Howland; grandchildren Paige DiRando, Christopher, Chrysann and Christian DiRando, Kristen, Megan, Trinity, Danielle, Danny Jr., Peyton and Morgan DiRando; great-grandchildren Aubrianna, Chase and Haisley DiRando.

Family and friends may call from 3 to 5:00 p.m. Friday November 22, 2024, at the Fox Funeral Home in Boardman, followed by a funeral service at 5:00 p.m.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Edward J. Fox & Sons Funeral Home, 4700 Market St. Boardman.

Family and friends of Mary may visit www.foxfuneralhome.org to view this obituary and to leave condolences for the DiRando family.

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