Mary T. Endress
Mary T. Endress, 94, of Santa Barbara left this world on December 5, 2015 at Serenity House. She was born in 1920 in Port Said, Egypt to Maltese parents and lived there until she was 17. She and her mother migrated to Brooklyn, NY to join other family after her father died. Mary went to night school and worked a retail job during the day. After marrying, she moved to Staten Island, NY, where she lived for 45 years and raised 5 children. She worked for Chase Manhattan Bank in Manhattan as an international accounts manager until she retired in 1985, soon after which she moved to Santa Barbara to join her daughter, Kathabela who was a jeweler selling at the Cabrillo Arts and Crafts Show. She enjoyed the sunny “Mediterranean climate” that she was so accustomed to from her childhood and attended the “Beach Show” every Sunday to assist her daughter. She lived downtown and was a volunteer at RSVP and the Carrillo Hotel. She attended many lectures and musical events at her favorite bookstore The Earthling on State Street where she loved to walk and browse the many stores. Mary loved Santa Barbara.
Mary was an avid believer in world peace, always very concerned always regarding Middle East conflicts and enjoyed bringing peace to her own little world. She followed current events daily and admired many world figures: Ghandi, St. Frances of Assisi, Mother Theresa, Nelson Mandela, the Kennedys, Queen Elizabeth, Princess Diana and President Obama.
Mary has a family who loved and adored her especially because she found the time to value each one and gifted her children and grandchildren with many special memories.
She lived the last 14 years of her life at Garden Court on De La Vina and was known there and loved as “Mary Blue” as she only wore that color.
She was preceded in death by her son Stephen, who died in 1994 in NYC.
She is survived by her daughters, Kathabela Wilson of Santa Barbara and Pasadena, and Maureen Cassano of Santa Barbara and sons, Michael Endress and Paul Endress of New York. Her grandchildren are: Colleen Morales of Santa Barbara, Tim Kasper of San Diego, Vinny Cassano USN stationed in England, Sara Kopeikin of Boulder, Colorado, Julian Cassano student at UCSD. Sean Endress of Albany, NY, Micky Endress of Staten Island, NY.
There are 4 great-grandchildren: Dylan and Ryan Kasper and Julia and Louie Cassano.
She was the matriarch of our family and will be forever missed yet alive in our hearts.
We wish to acknowledge and thank Serenity House and Visiting Nurse and Hospice of Santa Barbara for their gracious care and attention to our mother at the end of her life, and all the caregivers that have assisted her.