Mary M. Labate Forte, 81, of North Haven died on June 22 at Yale-New Haven Hospital surrounded by her children. She was the wife of the late Eugenio Forte. Born in Portchester, New York on Sept. 5, 1931, Mary was the daughter of the late Antonio and Assunta Minetti Labate. Mary worked doing “piece work” for Electrolux of Greenwich and later worked for Pitney Bowes of Stamford until her retirement. She was a hard worker and “always passed the rate!” Mary moved to West Haven where she loved to play golf and was a member of the Women’s Senior Golf Club at the former Meadowbrook Golf Course and Sleeping Giant, both in Hamden. She loved playing poker and blackjack at the Foxwoods Casino with her friends Maida and Madeline, but most of all she loved her family unconditionally, always cooking for everyone who was sick or in need.

She was the beloved mother of Rose D. Mixon of North Haven, Salvatore and Mary DiSanto of Fleetwood, New York, Michael and Shari DiSanto of Narrowsburg, New York, and the late Anthony DiSanto. She was the sister of Charles Labate of Ocala, Florida, Joseph Labate of Greenwich, John and Cathy Labate of Trumbull, and the late Vincent, Anthony, and Frank Labate. She is also survived by nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Mary embraced life and now embraces the after.

Her funeral procession will leave the North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue, on Thursday, June 27 at 10:30 a.m. Family and friends may call from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. A Mass of Christian burial will follow in St. Therese Church, North Haven at 11 a.m. Interment will follow in St. Mary Cemetery, Greenwich. Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association, 45 Ash St., East Hartford, CT 06108.