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Mary Ann Parada, age 91, died peacefully in her sleep on January 21, 2023. She was surrounded by family and friends the week leading up to her death. She is predeceased by her husband Armand Robert “Bob” Parada in 2020 and her eldest son, John Lawrence Parada in 2009.
Mary Ann was born in Los Angeles, CA in 1931 to Bernardino and Maria Stasolla. Bernardino and Maria emigrated from Bari, Italy in the early 1910s. Mary Ann grew up in Highland Park and was the youngest of her sisters Angela, Therese, Toni, and Rosemarie.
Mary Ann met Bob in the second grade at St. Ignatius Catholic School. The couple married in 1954 and raised nine children in South Pasadena. All of Mary Ann and Bob’s kids went to Holy Family school and catholic high school despite living a block from the public high school. Next door to the Parada’s lived their lifelong friends Clara and Amedee “Dick” Richards Jr. who also had nine children.
Mary Ann and Bob were active parishioners of Holy Family Church. Faith meant everything to Mary Ann, and she actively promoted devotion to the Divine Mercy Chaplet, the First Saturday devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and helped organize the Italian Catholic Federation’s St. Joseph’s Table.
With so many kids, Mary Ann supported their involvement in many organizations. She helped established the South Pasadena Little League Girls’ Softball Program alongside Flossie Clarich and Sally McEachen.
Mary Ann became a fixture of our community as one of the original founders of Citizens United to Save South Pasadena that fought against the extension of the 710 freeway for over 50 years. She was a bridge between the founding members and the next generation of freeway fighters. Mary Ann famously marched and chanted “No 710!” in the Festival of Balloons 4th of July Parade encouraging the town to continue the fight. A touchstone for many who grew up here, her presence and humor will be missed by all who knew her.
Mary Ann survived by her children Judy (Louis) Gutierrez, Joan Parada, James Parada, David Parada, Danny (Krissy) Parada, Ron (Jessica) Parada, Robert (Koy) Parada, Tommy Parada and Juanita Parada, widow to her eldest son, John. She delighted in her 25 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.
Details of Mary Ann’s services are below:
Friday Feb 17, 2023
Viewing 4-6pm
Rosary 6-7pm
@ Cabot and Sons
27 Chestnut Street
Pasadena, CA 91103
Saturday Feb 18, 2023
Funeral Mass 11:30am @ Holy Family Church
1527 Fremont Ave
South Pasadena, CA 91030
Reception in HF hall following the mass.
Saturday Feb 18, 2023
Burial 1:30pm
Calvary Cemetery
4201 Whittier Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90023
