Obituary of Mary Elizabeth Weingart

Mary Elizabeth passed away peacefully, at home, surrounded by her family, on October 12, 2022 after an extended illness. She was born in July 1954 and was the eldest daughter of her late parents, John Edward Lagonegro and Mary Jean (McCormick) Lagonegro. She was predeceased by her husband’s parents, Francis B. Weingart and Mary Florence Weingart. Mary is survived by her husband James and children, Elissa Marie Weingart, Olivia Anne Weingart, Patrick Donovan Weingart, his wife, Rebecca, and their 17-month-old twin sons, Donovan Julius and William David Weingart. Mary is also survived by her sisters, Jean Lagonegro, Joan (Michael) Prechtl, Ann Lagonegro, and brothers-in-law John, Philip (Catherine), Edwin, Thomas (Monica) Weingart and many nieces and nephews.

Mary graduated from Notre Dame High School, Elmira College, and earned a post graduate degree in Safety Management from West Virginia University where she served as an instructor. Mary and Jim met, by chance, on New Year’s Eve 1979 and became engaged in November 1981. The couple were married on September 4, 1982, in St. Casimir’s Church and recently celebrated their fortieth wedding anniversary. Mary was a communicant of Our Lady of Lourdes in Arlington, Virginia. Mary was a devoted mother and strong supporter of Catholic education. She was an active room mother and girl scout troop leader. She applied her management skills towards numerous successful fund-raising events for her children’s elementary and high schools. Mary and Jim’s twin grandsons were born in December 2021. Mary cherished the new role of grandmother and the opportunity to spend time with Patrick’s family in Florida. Over the years Mary and Jim attended performances at the Shakespeare Theater Company of Washington and at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts. During the fall and spring months Mary and Jim were able to spend time relaxing at their beach house in Corolla, NC.  Mary was an avid reader of novels as well as recipe books.  She was a gourmet cook and truly loved everything related to the culinary arts including canning, preserving, and baking.  She cooked professionally while living in West Virginia and pursuing her education there.  She donated her planning and culinary skills on many occasions to causes close to her heart. Her intelligence, sense of humor, and her ardent dedication to her family will be greatly missed. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Mary Elizabeth on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, 11:00 a.m., St. Patrick’s Church, 604 Park Place, Elmira.  Interment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in her remembrance be made to Notre Dame High School, 1400 Maple Avenue, Elmira NY 14904.