Allentown residents send Best wishes to Mary Tomaselli

By Jonathan White

On April 26, my friend Mike was in town for the Sabres playoff game and, afterward when we met to catch up, I told him that Mary Tomaselli has been diagnosed with late stage cancer. It was as though I had put a dagger through him. He immediately recalled how, when he moved into Allentown several years ago, Mary was among the first to make him feel welcome.  He noted how her Allen Street business became the place for everyone to go where they knew there would be a smile and a welcoming hello. “No dry cleaning to drop off today? Then come in anyway, have a glass of wine and sit and tell me how your day is.” Her warmth and welcoming demeanor was sincere and heartfelt and everyone knew that if you were feeling a little down, all you have to do is stop in and say hi to Mary. Later, when the business shifted to La Te Da, Mary welcomed each guest to the restaurant as though you were coming to dinner at her home.

Mike’s expression and his sadness personified the reaction of us all when we learned of Mary’s illness. For over a decade, Mary has provided a constant in the lives of hundreds of Allentowners and hundreds more throughout the City.  Her heart is kind, her enthusiasm is infectious and her spirit embodies the soul of Allentown. Mary is the quintessential way that we see ourselves and our neighborhood: smiling, generous and open to everyone that has graced her door. Her grace is what we all saw and we hold her in our hearts at this time. Our love goes out to Mary and her family at this time.