Mary Constance Cisternino

Mary C. Cisternino entered this life on April 1, 1929, and she entered into eternal life on November 5, 2022. She was born in Van Nuys, California. Mary was the middle child of three, born to Conrad and Marie Emsiek. She spent the majority of her 93 ½ years in Southern California, except for the 4 years she resided in Deer Park, Texas. Mary worked at St. Mary’s Hospital in Long Beach for many, many years as an office administrator. Shortly after, she began her retail career working for both The Treasury and JCPenney’s as a warehouse supervisor. Along with working, she loved to volunteer her time with Lakewood Meals on Wheels, the Discovery Shop, which benefited the American Cancer Society, and of course at St Cornelius School. It was at St Cornelius School that she became “Mrs. C”. Her kind and loving spirit, as well as her generosity, was easy to spot, and the students were drawn to her. Mary’s giving nature was so evident to those who knew her because of her passion to help others, give of her time, and volunteer where needed. Volunteering was just one of her many traits she passed onto her three girls. Mary enjoyed the beach, long walks, and her time spent traveling. She was an avid reader, and enjoyed passing on her books to anyone who wanted to read. She was a huge fan of Hallmark movies, and even with the predictable outcome, she truly loved them. Mary appreciated fashion, she was stylish & chic with her attire, and was always seen wearing her red lipstick.

She was a devoted mother and grandmother, and enjoyed spending time with not only her daughters, but her four beautiful grandchildren. As a grandma, she was always abreast of their many activities, and relished hearing about their day.

Mary is survived by her two daughters, Teresa Cisternino-Pierce and Nancy Gallagher; her two son-in-laws, Randy Pierce and Jim Gallagher; her grandchildren, Michael & Morgan Gallagher, Lucas and Riley Pierce, and her two siblings, Robert Emsiek, and Shirley Horeff, and many, many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her daughter, Karen Cisternino (2004).

Mary will forever & always be in our hearts.

Memorial mass will be held on Friday, December 2, 2022 at 11:00 am.

St. Cornelius Catholic Church

5500 E. Wardlow Road, Long Beach, CA 90808

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Cornelius Catholic Church

Luyben Dilday Mortuary (562) 425-6401