By Lisa Kava
Mary Zingone Vinci, of Zingone Brothers, the neighborhood family-owned grocery store at Columbus Avenue between 82nd and 83rd Streets, passed away from cancer on May 17th, 2022. She had been diagnosed with sarcoma in September 2021, her brother Dominick told West Side Rag. She was 58 years old.
Mary was the daughter of Josephine and Ralph Zingone, and a great niece of Domenico Zingone, who founded Zingone Brothers with his brother Vicenzo in 1927. Born and raised on the Upper West Side, Mary began working in her family’s store when she was just 18 years old and continued to work there for 40 years. She was a staple in the community and the neighborhood, always with a friendly smile and ready to help her customers with her trademark enthusiasm.
“She was the nicest lady, always running around the neighborhood and saying hello to everyone,” a community resident said.
The funeral took place on Sunday, May 22nd at the Colonial Funeral Home in Staten Island. A neighborhood service honoring Mary’s life took place on Monday, May 23, at the Holy Trinity Church on West 82nd Street.
Mary was beloved by her family and by the neighborhood residents, many of whom were like a second family to her. She leaves behind her mother, Josephine, her husband Charlie, and her daughter Gabriella, and many others. “Mary was so loved by so many and will always be right here in our hearts,” Dominick Zingone said.
Donations can be made in Mary’s name and memory to the Sarcoma Foundation of America.
West Side Rag offers its deepest sympathy.
A beautiful testament to her life in our neighborhood. A testament only a neighborhood journal can provide. To her family, to those who knew her, condolences.Thank you for running this, West Side Rag.
Mary will be very missed!
Mary was loved by so many. Including my family and me. We send our love and condolences to the family.
Mary had the heart and character that warmed all of us with her presence. So sad about her passing. My sympathy to her extended family. She will be remembered for a long time.
From movie stars to shut-ins, she was beloved by them all because she took care of them all.
Mary was an incredible human being. We said goodbye to her yesterday but we will never ever forget her.
When we moved to the UWS at 82nd, we learned how Mary created a safe haven for kids in the community “If they are ever nervous, uncomfortable or need anything, that’s what we are here for” she said to me. I remember thinking, “If that’s the tone of the community, then we will love living on the UWS.” Then we learned how she allowed the kids could keep open “tabs” at Zingone if they wanted to pick something up for themselves or for their family. Mary was always welcoming and those who know and shop at Zingone were fortunate to have her in our midst. May her memory forever be a blessing.
I went to grammar school with Mary and Dominick. the Zingone family is well loved in our neighborhood. She will be missed. Dominick Our prayers go out to you. I love you guys so much
Mary was the best. I am so sorry that cancer took her too soon! We have lost so many good people to cancer. May her memory be a blessing!
What a great loss, what a spirited woman. I had one memorable conversation with her a few years back about the majesty of fryer peppers sautéed with olive oil and garlic and served with a hunk of Italian bread. We shared an Italian American heritage. She will be missed.
I am so sad to hear of Mary’s death. She and everyone in her family are pillars of the UWS. I will miss her warm welcome when I pop into Zingone’s on my visits to NYC. For 40+ years when I lived on West 82nd Street Mary and her family were always a support to me and my husband John Turner. Mary’s kindness and that of her family made the neighborhood a great place to live. Love you Mary. Rest in peace.
Wow this is sooo sad. I am in my early 30s Mary has known me since I was 2. I grew up on 81 and cpw. Condolences!
Love to all the Zingone family! Deepest condolences from a grateful customer. This family represents all the best about our neighborhood and Mary was a shining star.
My deepest condolences to the family. We moved into the neighborhood in 1993 and have shopped at the store ever since. The zingone family is unique in their ability to welcome everyone, and Mary was no exception . She was always cheerful helpful and friendly. She was devoted to her mother and took tremendous pride in telling about the accomplishments of her daughter. She was also a real neighborhood person, frequently lunching with her friends at the local eateries. She put on a great fight to beat her I’ll ess So sad that she isi no longer with us.
We moved from the neighborhood five years ago but haven’t forgotten how much we loved and respected Mary. She couldn’t do enough for her neighbors and those who shopped in Zingone. She will be loved and remembered by so many.
She was such a wonderful, upbeat person. I’m so very sorry to hear the news. I love Zingone. The entire family epitomized the best of the old guard, unpretentious, neighborhood where I grew up.
I used to shop in there for gorgeous tomatoes and radishes but have been housebound for a year with accident and then covid…My heart aches hearing of her passing. I really enjoyed our mini chats and laughs in store….she will be forever missed ….May she RIP and with her Lord…..amen
Condolences to the Zingone family. I grew up on UPWS n although I haven’t been there in years knew the family. I was one of the kids with an open tab. So sad for your loss and am so glad you are a mainstay, to this day of the neighborhood.
Mary’s loss means there will always be a bit less sunshine on even the sunniest of days. I’ve lived on W. 82nd Street for over 40 years and can’t imagine the neighborhood without her and her generous spirit.
Thanks for this lovely tribute
For those who did not have the good fortune to know Mary, here’s a look at her and some of her family from YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WPyR_-5Qrc
I am so sorry to all the Zingone family. I worked at the post office on 83 street for 20 years and not once in all that time did I see Mary without a smile on her face and a big friendly hello when I saw her on Columbus avenue or in the store.She was truly an amazing
human being, old school and she will be truly missed .Thank you Mary for bring such sunshine to so many peoples lives.
She was the best. She made sure my family had food during the height of the COVID lockdown. She went as far as to go to other markets to buy food my little kids love because she was out of it. My kids are broken up over this. We are all broken up over this. What a huge loss. Everyone who has met her has a similar story. She put herself out there to feed all of us while we hid away in our apts. she was a hero. A rockstar. She was family to this whole neighborhood. And boy did she love her daughter. She was so proud of her. Mary was one of a kind and she is missed.
A kind person who cared deeply about others. She was one of the first to plant a garden on the Columbus traffic dividers–a cheerful celebration of the season.
For decades, Mary always greeted everyone in our family by name with such warmth and genuine interest and care. And you could see she did this with everyone: she was a beloved neighborhood fixture who made the Upper West Side that much more of a tight knit community, when so much threatens to pull us apart and to disintegrate the fabric of our “mom and pop” stores. What a kind, generous and loving soul, and what a terrible and untimely loss. Our condolences to the entire Zingone family and extended family — which is to say, everyone she touched with kindness.
My beautiful friend. This June is the 45th anniversary of our Holy Trinity School 8th grade graduation (Dominic had graduated 3yrs earlier, w/my older sister). Rest in peace in the arms of Christ, Mary.
What a loss. Mary was unfailingly pleasant and helpful.
One of the best thing that happened to me in United State was met Mary Zingone.
My best friend and sister.
Mary will be in my heart today, tomorrow and forever.
I’m so sorry to hear this. I did not know. During the beginning of Covid, I called Zingone’s for a delivery and got her on the phone. Along with the groceries I asked if they had toothpaste. She said no, but she’d go to the pharmacy next door and get one for me and include it in the grocery order. I said no, I’ll use baking soda instead, and thanked her profusely for offering. I will never forget that, her, and her kindness. The whole family’s kindness for that matter. They don’t make them like that anymore. Peace to them all.
This is such devastating news. I first moved to West 83rd Street in 1974 and I often frequented Zingone Bros. getting to know the entire family. Mary was a very warm and welcoming woman, quick with a smile. I send my sincerest and heartfelt condolences to her family.
This is a wonderful loving tribute to a Beautiful Lady. I know that the Holy Trinity School classmates, we are deeply sadden with her passing. Our deepest heartfelt condolences to her Mother, Husband, Daughter, Dominick Zingone and all her Family. Mary”s beautiful Spirit will be in many hearts forevermore. Sending all our Love filled in God’s Loving Goodness.
My husband, three children and I offer our sincerest condolences to Dominick, Ritchie, Gabrielle, “Mama” and all the Zingone family. In fact, we offer condolences to all Marys friends and the countless neighborhood regulars at the store who knew and loved Mary. She was a firecracker! She broke the mold! In Mary, energy and kindness were overflowing. As just one example, she and Signor Angelo used to send me fresh fava beans and tiny artichokes whenever they came into the store—no need to order; she just knew and cared. that’s how Mary treated us all. We’re going to miss her so much!
Mary was always so lovely, welcoming, warm and kind. This sad news is a loss for so many. My deepest condolences go out to her entire family.