Obituary of Mary E. DuZant

Mary Elsie DuZant, 79, of Snug Harbor, passed away peacefully on October 3, 2020. She was born to the late Monserate and Ramon Melendez. Mary was adopted by Marie and Mario Vasconi, and later unofficially adopted in love by the late Phyllis and Angelo Caruso. She is predeceased by her husband, Armand DuZant. Mary was a retired Program Assistant from the Veteran's Health Administration Hospital, where she lovingly served every Veteran in the Physical Medical Department with the utmost respect and care. They always appreciated her caring and reassuring manner during her tenure there. She was the most loving, nurturing Mother and is survived by her two daughters, Kim DuZant-Henderson (Kent Henderson) and Lisa DuZant-Smith (Garfield Smith), and two sons, Armand DuZant Jr., and Daryl DuZant. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Jamie DuZant, Ariel Henderson-Fusaro (Richard Fusaro) and Amanda Henderson, Gianna and Joslynn Montanez. Mary is also survived by her great-grandchildren, Teagan and Marcus. She loved her adoptive family as much as her own and let them know how much she loved them with many "huggies" and "machine gun" kisses – you didn't just get one! Her rice and beans were a family favorite and so far, unmatched! She loved all holidays and really would come alive at Christmas when all of the family would get together and enjoy her and her sister, Jill Caruso's, feast of food, fun and togetherness. Mary was a happy shopper and always found something she thought the house needed through websites like QVC. She was a huge fan of David Muir and enjoyed watching ABC Would News Tonight, where she'd often refer to David as her boyfriend. Mary truly loved all of her nieces, nephews, and they all loved her the same. She also loved the friends that came into her life via her children. She loved and prayed fiercely for them and everyone. She often commanded a smile and that you give her a "huggie". Signatures of her love will be missed by all. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Matthew Funeral Home, Inc., 2508 Victory Boulevard. Please call the funeral home at (718) 761-5544 for service information or visit www.matthewfuneralhome.com. Due to Covid, all visitors must wear a mask, practice social distancing, and be mindful that a small wait to visit might exist due to capacity limitations.