Obituary of Mary Ellen Opera

Mary Ellen Opera, 90, formerly of Cortland passed away December 31, 2021 in Daytona Beach, Florida. She was born November 4, 1931 the daughter of the late Anthony and Mary Murphy Natale. Mary Ellen was a funny, generous, intelligent woman. She enjoyed dancing on weekends with her husband Louie, fishing in Canada, and bowling. From the dance floor to the bass boat, she knew how to live. She also served as the Cortland Women's Bowling Assoc., president. Mary Ellen served as the 7th Ward Alderman for ten years then wrapped up her political career as Clerk for the Legislature. She had a great sense of humor and always had a joke and never met a stranger. You either liked her or loved her. Her family and friends will cherish her memory as loving wife, mother, grandmother, sibling, aunt, and friend who shared many nights around her kitchen table sharing stories, coffee, and cookies. She is survived by her husband of 69 years Louie Opera, her children LouAnn (Alan) Knoerzer, Tony (Wendy) Opera, Joanne (Ken) Ickes, Rose (Scott) Lafavor, and Renee Opera, her sister Carol (Pete) Sheridan, her brother Frank (Stella Partis) Natale, her sister in law Sandy Natale, her brother in law Al Nitti, several grandchildren ,great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, She was predeceased by her siblings Leslie Natale and his wife Bessie Natale, Tony Natale, Dorothy Nitti, Patty Giamichael and her husband Al Giamichael and sister in law Lynda Natale.