Mary C. (Messina) Shimmel, of Niagara Falls, NY passed away on Tuesday April 16, 2013 at Mt. St. Mary's Hospital in Lewiston, NY after a lengthy illness. She was born in Niagara Falls, NY, to the late Salvatore and Emilea (Sdao) Messina, and would have celebrated her 83rd birthday next month.

A lifelong resident of Niagara Falls, Mary attended local schools and graduated from Niagara Falls High School. She married Martin A. Shimmel at St. Joseph's Church in Niagara Falls, NY, and they would have celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary on June 19th of this year. For forty years, Mary worked as a senior building aide for the City of Niagara Falls Board of Education, and was in charge of the lunch aides at Hyde Park School until her retirement in 2010.

Mary was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. What she enjoyed most in life was her family, and attending 8:00 a.m. daily Mass at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church. She was a fixture for years along with her husband at Hyde Park attending little league and high school sporting events for her sons and grandchildren.

Mrs. Shimmel's family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the entire staff of Mt. St. Mary's Hospital for the compassionate care given to Mary throughout her illness.

In addition to her husband Martin, Mary is survived by her two sons, Martin J. (Paula) Shimmel of Lewiston, NY and Michael A. Shimmel of Niagara Falls, NY, three grandchildren, Sara Shimmel, Michael M. (Nicci) Shimmel and Amanda Shimmel, two great-grandchildren, Hayden and Carter, two sisters, Jean (Rocco) Marra of Niagara Falls, NY and Dora (late John) Friona of Lewiston, NY her sister-in-law Betty Shimmel of Niagara Falls, NY and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins. She was also predeceased by one brother Joseph Messina.

Visitation will be held on Thursday from 5-8 p.m. and Friday from 2-8 p.m. at the M.J. COLUCCI & SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL, 2730 MILITARY ROAD NIAGARA FALLS, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday April 20th at 9:00 a.m. at Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Parish at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church 27th Street and Independence Ave. Niagara Falls, NY with Rev. Stewart Lindsay, O.S.F.S. officiating. EVERYONE PLEASE ASSEMBLE AT CHURCH. Entombment in Gate of Heaven Cemetery Lewiston, NY. If desired memorial offerings may be made to the American Red Cross Blood Bank 786 Delaware Avenue Buffalo, NY 14209.