Mary Helen Guarnieri
REXFORD — Mary Helen Guarnieri, 55, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 19, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. After a long and courageous battle with bile duct cancer, Mary reluctantly left her beloved husband and daughter, Dennis Blaine and Thalia Guarnieri; her dog Stella; cats Jett, Ouzo, and Jasper; and the physical world behind.
Mary was born in Buffalo, NY to Paul Guarnieri, Sr. and Patricia Guarnieri (Centore) on November 2, 1968, as their eldest child. Growing up, Mary attended Arongen, Greenfield, and St. Peter’s elementary schools. She graduated from Saratoga Central Catholic High School in 1986. She received a BS in Biology from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh and continued her studies in the molecular genetics Ph.D. program at the State University of New York at Albany.
Mary’s lifelong love of science reached into many impactful discoveries. Her tenure as a research technician with Dr. Lorraine Flaherty led to important discoveries in genetics including the characterization of the mouse model of Reelin, a protein critical to regulation of synaptic plasticity, and LamB3, a gene responsible for epidermal development. Her passion and expertise led to the pursuit of a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences at the University at Albany where she characterized a complex animal model that carried a reciprocal translocation affecting multiple developmental processes. Despite the sheer magnitude of the dissection of a model of this complexity, Mary met this challenge as she approached everything in her life, with intelligence, diligence, and the confidence that framed her personality.
While writing her dissertation, she and Dennis were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Thalia. Mary discontinued her studies and became a devoted caregiver. As Thalia progressed through school, Mary was a tireless volunteer at Mother Teresa Academy, St. Mary’s School, and Saratoga Central Catholic School. She was then hired as Director of Advancement at Saratoga Central Catholic School where she worked for 6 years, before retiring in February 2021.
In addition to her obvious intelligence and physical beauty, Mary was imbued with a radiant beauty from within. Unusually kind and generous, she had an extraordinary ability to understand and empathize, particularly for those experiencing suffering or feeling disenfranchised. She eagerly and effortlessly gave comfort to alleviate fear and suffering in others, even if it was simply to hug you tightly and offer her shoulder for your tears.
Mary was always fully present and engaged, whether in her academic pursuits, time spent with family and friends, or when caring for the smallest of creatures; she loved and appreciated it all. Mary met her health challenges as she did with any of life’s challenges, with grace and equanimity. She has left an indelible mark on our hearts and will remain there forever, never forgotten and forever alive within us all.
Mary was very fortunate to be close with her relatives and friends. Mary and Dennis enjoyed hiking and camping and would take an annual trip with a group of as many as a dozen close friends. She, Dennis, and eventually Thalia traveled often to Italy with their family. While going for cancer treatments downstate, she was regularly joined by cherished friends and family members and turned these trips into “chemo parties.” Her husband made sure to always have fresh flowers in the house for her upon her return.
In addition to many cousins and friends, Mary is survived by her loving husband of 28 years, Dennis Blaine, and their incredibly talented daughter, Thalia; her sister Christine (Darryll Daum), niece Isabella, and brothers Paul (Pamela Nagengast) and Mark (Alicia Groff); and aunts and uncles, Jeanne and Dick Cody, Gloria and John Weyand, Donald Amodeo, and Helene and Bob Mehnert.
Relatives and friends may call from 4-7 p.m., Friday, September 27, at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 (518-584-5373).
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Saturday, September 28 at St. Peter’s Church, 241 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.
Reception to follow.
As many of you know, Mary always liked to tell people what to do and she has requested the following of all who read this: In loving memory of Mary, she asks you to consider performing some acts of kindness, that you respect others’ opinions without judgement, and share a smile or a compliment or a helping hand to someone in need whenever the opportunity presents itself. When you buy flowers, take in and marvel at their beauty as she loved to do and “let the light in.”
Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com