Mary Arlene Liste, 70, of Girard passed away peacefully at her residence with her family at her side at 12:25AM Saturday, August 7, 2010 after fighting a very long and courageous 18 year battle with cancer.

She was born September 6, 1939 in Warren the daughter of Rosario "Russ" and Lena Belcastro Merlo.

She was a 1957 graduate of Niles McKinley High School and a 1960 graduate of East Liverpool City Hospital School of Nursing.

Mary was employed as a staff nurse on the medical surgical floor at St. Joseph's Riverside Hospital for 12 years and was director of Nursing at Glenview Manor Nursing home for 6 years before retiring in 1978.

She was a member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Niles, The McKinley Memorial Friends of The Library, The Trumbull County Republican Party, and The Air Force 40'th Bomb Wing Association.She was also past president of The Washington School PTA, active in the Niles Bicentennial Celebration where she and her husband presented programs on the history of the flags that touched American Soil, and a volunteer at Autumn Hill Nursing Home.

She enjoyed shopping, crafts, interior and exterior home decorating, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Mary, who never gave up and thought family was the most important aspect of her life, will be deeply missed by her husband Patrick M. Liste whom she married June 29, 1963, two daughters, Arlena M. Rich of Howland, and Jolene Booher(Steven Beckman) of Niles, a brother Joseph R. Merlo and his wife Virginia "Ginny" of Niles, a sister Cecelia Merlo and her companion Jackie Haynie of Niles, and her beloved cat Lexi.

She is preceded in death by her parents.

Friends may call from 4 to 7PM Monday at The Joseph Rossi and Sons Funeral Home in Niles where the Mt. Carmel Bereavement Ministry will conduct prayers at 6:30PM.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 9:30AM Tuesday at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, with Larry Frient officiating, preceded by a 9AM prayer service at the funeral home.

Burial will be in Pineview Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions can be made to Hospice of The Valley, 5190 Market Street, Youngstown, Ohio 44512.

Family and friends may view this obituary and send condolences at www.josephrossifuneralhome.com.