Obituary of Mary Jane Piscitelli

Mary Jane Piscitelli (Price), known to many as MJ, finally found peace during her favorite time of the year. On December 23rd, 2024, she passed away surrounded by her loving family at St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center in Roslyn, NY. Mary Jane was born on August 18th, 1946, in Brooklyn, NY, to parents Lester Price and Doris Price (Hennessy). Mary Jane was also a resident of East Meadow, NY, a long-time resident of Westbury, NY, and a frequent snowbird in West Palm Beach, Florida. After attending school at Immaculate Heart of Mary in Brooklyn, NY, she went on to earn her cosmetology degree. On October 11th, 1980, she opened Sand Castle Hair Design Ltd. in East Meadow with her best friend Michele Slevin. Selflessness, compassion and a great sense of humor were all hallmarks of her glowing personality. She also enjoyed creating her own jewelry, wearing opulent clothes, dancing, cooking and entertaining for all family and friends. She was remembered for going all out for Christmas as if she was Mrs. Claus. Countless animals became her companions throughout the years, wild and domesticated alike. She especially loved her pet squirrel, Feivel, whom she kept for over a decade. More recently, her grand-dogs Gizmo and Baxter brought a lot of comfort. Much of her joy over the last 20 years came from spending time with her 4 grandchildren, Dean, Jay, Cheralyn and Kate. She greatly enjoyed relaxing in the Floridian sun with her dance partner, Salvatore "Sal" Derise, who she met in 2009 at the Knolls in East Meadow. Mary Jane faced many health challenges over the past several years but managed to push on with the encouragement of family and her powerful will to live. Her strength was immense, and she kept her incredible beauty through it all. After a courageous 7-year battle with cancer, God extended a hand and guided her to Heaven. In addition to valiantly fighting her illnesses, she had also endured a drastic amount of tragedy in her life from a very young age. When she was just 19 years old, her first baby, Louis, died suddenly in January of 1966. Then in February of 1970, she tragically lost her father, Lester, who died at only 52 years old. The birth of her next 2 children, Jimmy (James) and Christa, brought hope to overcome these tragedies through rejuvenated life. There are multiple date alignments of profound significance that speak to the grand design of the universe by God. Baby Louis was buried on January 18th, 1966. Precisely 9 months later, Louis granted his mother a new son, Jimmy, on October 18th, 1966. Louis lives on through his brother Jimmy. Jimmy became a wonderful caretaker of his mother, acting on Louis' behalf to carry out the duty of safeguarding her. Christa was her next blessing in the wake of tragedy and was named after Jesus Christ by Mary Jane to signify this event. Before passing away in 1970, her father, Lester, expressed his desire for Mary Jane to have a daughter. 10 months later, on December 23rd, 1970, Christa was born on what would have been Lester's 53rd birthday. Mary Jane always felt this was a gift delivered to Earth from her father in Heaven. During her final hospital stay at St. Francis, Mary Jane made it to December 23rd, 2024, marking her daughter's 54th birthday. Then at 9:30 AM, she joined her father to celebrate his 107th. Christa was also a loving protector of her mother and did everything she could to help her, just as Lester would have done. She is now happily reunited with her father Lester, mother Doris Price (Hennessy), son Louis Piscitelli Jr., partner Sal Derise, brother-in-law John Slevin Sr. and niece Kathy Nocella (Santiago). She is survived by her son James Piscitelli, daughter Christa Dusharme, son-in-law Dean Dusharme Sr., daughter-in-law Christine Piscitelli (Jaeger), grandchildren Dean Jr., Jay, Cheralyn and Kate. Sisters Doris (Slevin), Elinore (Geiger), Kathy (Ferrulli), Noreen (Santiago), Debra (Bolufé) and brother Lester. Former spouse of over 40 years, Louis Piscitelli Sr. A very long list of beloved nieces and nephews. Many friends. A funeral mass will be held at St. Raphael Parish at 600 Newbridge Rd. East Meadow, NY 11554, on Saturday January 4, 2025 at 10:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, Mary Jane would be honored by a donation to the American Cancer Society in her name.