Conesus/Livonia: Mary Pauline Iten passed peacefully September 1, 2023, at St. John’s Home in Rochester, NY. She had been a resident of Morgan Estates in Geneseo for the past several years. Mary was born April 19, 1930, in Hamilton, Montana to the late J. Joseph and Pauline Iten. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her brothers Joseph and Leo Iten. After almost 90 years spanning 6 generations Mary is survived by her second family; Sarah (Mitch Bush) Donohue of Bath, Steve (Brenda) Donohue of Conesus, Ray (Debbie) Donohue of Conesus, Katie (Steve) Robinson of Cohocton, and Margaret (John) Rudolph of Conesus along with their children and grandchildren, and many dear friends.
Mary’s parents were born in Switzerland, and throughout her childhood the family traveled between Montana and Switzerland. The Iten’s eventually settled in Conesus to run the Mission farm at the urging of her uncle, Brother Fridolin, SVD, an artist and the creator of the Rosary Grottoes. Many were the captivating stories Mary told of her childhood growing up in a close-knit family on the farm! She graduated from the Geneseo Normal School, now SUNY Geneseo, and throughout her long careertaught primary grades in the Rochester City School District. After retiring, she continued teaching as a substitute in both the Livonia and Honeoye school districts. She volunteered at area nursing homes, was a faithful parishioner of St. Matthew Church in Livonia and was a long-time active member of Catholic Daughters of the Americas. Mary loved traveling and visiting friends and relatives in Switzerland, making her last trip there at the age of 89. She was a kind and generous friend to all in the Mission Road neighborhood and to many others in places well beyond.
Family and friends may call Monday, September 11th, from 9:30-10:30 AM at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 6591 Richmond Mills Road, Route 20A, Livonia, NY where Mary’s Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 AM. Burial will follow at St. Michael’s Cemetery, Livonia, after which a lunch reception will be held in the church community room; all are welcome. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Matthew Church, PO Box 77, Livonia, NY 14487 or to the Livonia Ambulance, PO Box 8, Livonia, NY 14487. To send a condolence or share a memory please visit: www.doughertyfuneralhomes.com
I am a Catholic Daughter in Brockport. We & The 3 other Courts in the Diocese have been sending Mary cards every month for the past 5 years. I am distraught and very dismayed we had no notification of her passing. What happened to her cards that were sent September thru December. Surely someone could have let us know.Eternal rest grant to her, oh Lord, and let perpétuel light shine upon her.. May her soul and the souls of all the faithfully departed, through the mercy of God , rest in peace.
God bless Mary!
Denise (Gascon) Smith.Mary and Leo were both a godparent to 2 of my siblings. I loved her greatly and will always enjoy the memories.
Mary taught all my children in their CCD classes and was a very loving and kind teacher to them. I saw her often, either seeing her as a substitute teacher, teach ing in religious education, or at Church at the 10:30 Mass. She was loved by all and lived her faith with great dedication. My grandparents were born in Switzerland and emigrated here around 1915. We talked of Switzerland and she and her brother Leo visited my parents on Conesus Lake. I will miss her gentle and sweet personality and pray for the angels and Jesus to surround her with love. God Bless Mary and her family.