Mary A. DaPra, 89, of E-5132 Wildwood Lane, Ironwood, died following a short illness on Friday, Dec. 7, 2007, in Ironwood. Mary was born May 4, 1918, in Ironwood, daughter of the late Vincent and Maria (D'Angelo) della Ravere, and graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in 1935. On July 21, 1941, she was married to Smeralio A. "Milo" DaPra at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Ironwood by the late Msgr. J.B. Moriarty. Milo preceded her in death on Feb. 12, 1987. Mary spent many years as a waitress in the Ironwood area. Following graduation, she began working at Mary's Eat Shop in downtown Ironwood, and continued serving customers at Don & GG's, Genisot's Pancake House and Petrusha's Supper Club. She was very much appreciated by her customers for her fast, attentive and friendly service. In recognition of her outstanding work, she was honored by the Michigan Legislature in a Senate Resolution dated Sept. 9, 1986, as the doyenne of waitresses on the Gogebic Range. This honor is indicative of her strong work ethic and willingness to help others. She retired from being a waitress in 1990 at the age of 72. Mary's family and friends knew her as a generous, funny, loving and sometimes feisty person. She was always supportive and encouraging in any and all endeavors that they chose to pursue. She was a life-long, faithful member of Our Lady of Peace Parish in Ironwood, and lived her faith by displaying a caring nature and willingness to give people whatever she had if they needed it. Mary loved to play bingo and any kind of cards, but especially smear, and she was very good at it. Winning when playing against her was always difficult. Among family and friends she was known for using the old Italian custom of giving you a solid nudge with her hand on your shoulder to make a point or as a clear indication that she did not agree with what was said. She will be greatly missed by all who loved her. Surviving are her children, Dennis (Sarah) DaPra, Spring Arbor, Marlene (David) Adami, Springfield, ILL, and Raymond DaPra, Ironwood; three sisters, Antoinette Benetti, Green River, Wyo., Clara DeFelice, Hurley, Wis., and Florence DeFelice, Wakefield; and former daughter-in-law, Donna Mortier, Bessemer. Also surviving are her grandchildren, Rebecca DaPra, Dallas, TX, Christina (Reid) Osborne, Jackson, Michael DaPra, Columbia, MD, Jacqueline Adami, Champaign, ILL, Melissa (Jason) French, Kalamazoo, and Shelley (Keith) Miller, Menasha, Wis.; and her great-grandchildren, Brooklynn and Taylor Osborne, as well as several nieces and nephews. In accordance with Mary's wishes, cremation has taken place. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, Dec. 14, at 11 a.m., at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood, with the Rev. Darryl J. Pepin, celebrant. Rite of Committal will be in the St. Joseph Family Room at the church, with luncheon to follow in the parish hall. Spring interment will be in Riverside Cemetery, Ironwood. Relatives and friends may call in the St. Joseph Family Room at the church beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Friday. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church Adopt-A-Student Program. To view Mary's obituary online, express condolences and sign the guestbook, visit mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick and Engstrom Funeral and Cremation Services of Ironwood and Hurley.