About This Memory Space
This page was created for Mary S. DeRose's family and friends as a place to remember them, to share stories, and to keep their memory close in everyday life.
It is cared for and added to over time by the people who knew them, and everyone is invited to contribute, whether that is a story, a photo, a few words, or a simple note.
Many families visit places like this not just once, but again and again, especially on quiet days or meaningful anniversaries. This page is here for those moments, wherever you are.
A place to return to when you want to feel close again, to remember a moment, or to leave a few words for others to read. Over time, it grows through the voices of everyone who knew and loved them.
Light a Candle Growing
Light a candle to honor Mary S. DeRose's memory. Each lighting keeps their memory burning bright for 23 hours.
Candle lit burns 23 hours. Come back and light it again after 23 hours to keep the memory burning.
Limited to 5 lightings per hour to prevent abuse.
Memory Wall Growing
Stories, photos, and memories shared by people who knew Mary S. DeRose. This is the heart of this space—a collection that grows as more people contribute.
No memories posted yet. Be the first to share a story or memory.
Life & Legacy
Mary Shelley DeRose crafted a vibrant tapestry of music, culture, and unwavering family devotion, leaving an indelible mark on all who crossed her path with her infectious enthusiasm for life's melodies.
From her early days in Chicago, where literature-loving parents named her after the famed author and nurtured her artistic talents, Mary blossomed into a woman of extraordinary depth. Skipping formal schooling until age eight to immerse herself in piano and violin, she quickly distinguished herself in academics and performance alike. Her world expanded through marriage to Bob DeRose in 1950, drawing her into a warm Italian family circle. Together, they ventured across the globe—from the pre-dissolution USSR and newly opened China to the landscapes of South America, Europe, and South Africa—always returning enriched by new horizons. Back home, Mary's perfect pitch and ear for show tunes made her the sparkling centerpiece of gatherings and business soirees, her keyboard alive with popular hits.
Mary's intellectual pursuits led her to earn a Bachelor's and Master's in Library Science from Purdue University Indianapolis, timing her achievements artfully alongside her children's milestones—graduating her master's the very year her eldest finished high school. Her civic spirit shone through dedicated involvement with the Indianapolis Opera, Newfields Art Museum, and Garden Club, plus volunteer service at the Indiana State Museum via the Indiana Historical Society. Earlier, in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, she graced the Community Theater stage, leading in Sabrina Fair and captivating audiences in numerous dramas and musicals.
Photos of Life
Family & Loved Ones
Cherished gatherings pulsed with Mary's exuberant energy, where she wove her large family's tapestry through piano improvisations and heartfelt hospitality. Married to Bob for decades until his 2009 passing, she raised six children—Aladean Marie (the late Eric Smithburn), Victor Anthony, Paul Vance, Desiree Gabrielle (Francesco Calabro), Gena Renee (David Dubberley), and the late Adriane Christina (partner Dennis Jourdan)—instilling in them a passion for arts and letters, just as her parents had with her. Seven grandchildren—Kylea Asher (David Smith), Alexis Calabro, Celine Calabro (Matthew McDonald), Ian Stribling (Michelle), the late Michael DeRose, Stephanie Stribling, Kevyn Calabro, and Scott Smithburn—along with seven great-grandchildren, treasure the sunlit summers of zoo adventures, library quests, and lavish barbecues at her sprawling home, not to mention the whirlwind joy of her holiday feasts and birthday revels.
Remembered by Friends & Family
Tributes from Mary's circle evoke a woman whose zest for music and culture sparked joy in every encounter, underscoring her role as a magnetic force in family traditions and community arts.