Mary Leto, 97, a long-time resident of Kennett Township,
died peacefully at Jenner’s Pond Skilled Nursing Unit on Monday, Jan. 17.

Mary was born in Wilmington, to the late Oreste Leto, Sr.,
and Jennie Sicco Leto. In 1921 Mary and the family moved to Barton Farm, in
Kennett Square and four years later moved to the farm in Kennett Township were
she currently resided. Growing up on her parents’ farm with her nine siblings,
she graduated from Kennett High School and subsequently from West Chester
University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree.

Mary and her first cousin, Helen Leto Miller owned and operated
an Italian grocery store in Wilmington, for several years prior to Mary’s
enlisting in the Women’s Army Corps during World War II. After the war, she joined her sister,
Rosalie, in The Town Shop, a women’s apparel shop on State Street. The shop
remained in business in Kennett Square for more than 50 years.

Mary traveled extensively to several foreign countries but
her favorite destination was northern Italy visiting family relatives and attending
culinary and art schools. Mary was an accomplished cook and artist. She was an
avid reader of world history, and she enjoyed gardening, playing bridge and
spending time with family and friends.

Mary is survived by her sister, Sylvia Fawcett, a resident
at Jenner’s Pond and her brothers Charles, Victor and Robert all of Kennett
Township. She is also survived by sister-in-laws, Betty P. Leto, Bette B. Leto,
Marie M. Leto, and Kay S. Leto and a brother-in-law, Warren Smith, as well as
many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sisters Rosalie and Hilda
Leto Smith and brothers, Joseph, Oreste Jr., and Frederick.

Mary was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in
Kennett Square and was member of the Kennett Merchants Association and the
Business and Professional Women’s Association.

The family wishes to acknowledge the devoted care provided
by Ruby to our sister Mary over many years. They would also like to acknowledge the efforts and kindness
of the staff of the Chester County Hospital and to recognize the staff of
Jenner’s Pond Skilled Nursing Unit and the staff of Willow Tree Hospice for
their professional and compassionate care of Mary during her stay at Jenner’s
Pond.

A funeral service will be held at Kuzo & Grieco Funeral
Home, 250 West State Street, Kennett Square, PA on Friday Jan. 21 at 11 a.m. with
visitation from 9:30-11 a.m. Burial
will be at Cathedral Cemetery, 2400 Lancaster Avenue, Wilmington,
Delaware. Memorial contributions in
her memory may be made to West Chester University Foundation
P.O. Box 541 West Chester, PA 19381 or to Willow Tree Hospice, 100 Sycamore
Drive, West Grove, PA. 19390. To
send an online condolence, please visit www.griecocares.com