Obituary of Mary T. Agosta

Mary Theresa Agosta, of Huntington, NY, born September 25, 1926 in Hartford, CT, passed away on August 1, 2018, in her 91^st year. She was the beloved wife for 66 years of Vito Agosta, the loving mother of John Mark Agosta (married to Margaret Miller), Diana Elizabeth Agosta (married to Kenny Wessel), and Charles Christopher Agosta (married to Lucy McQuilken), and adored grandmother of Eleanor Jean, Elyza Jane, Nicolo Innocenzo, Isabella Victoria, Alexander Dante, and Leonardo Milton. She was the daughter of Charles I. Frago and Victoria Diana Frago of Hartford, CT and sister of Frank C. Frago of Rocky Hill, CT, (all deceased).

She graduated in 1947 with a BS in Early Childhood Education from St. Joseph College, Hartford, CT, and received an MS in 1949 from Merrill Palmer Institute at University of Michigan, in Child Development. 

Mary had a strong ethical vision and a devotion to social justice. She created innovative and lasting programs in her long career in early childhood education and community service. After many years as a beloved teacher at the Huntington Cooperative Nursery school, she used her experience to train volunteers to work with young mothers in the Parent Child Home Program at the Youth and Family Counseling Agency in Oyster Bay, NY. Then in 1994, together with Janet Walerstein, director of the Childcare Council of Suffolk, Mary originated the Parent Leadership Initiative to help parents learn how to advocate for their children, families and communities, and develop their confidence as community leaders. Prominent among the 300 graduates is Glenda Jackson, Huntington Town Councilwoman.  

Mom led the founding of the Harborfields Public Library in 1970s; and was an early active member and president of the League of Woman Voters.

More recently, she participated in several book clubs, exercised with the Gentle Bends group, and maintained lasting friendships. 

She was a beloved aunt, grandmother, friend and mentor to many in her extended family. 

Visitation will take place at Nolan Funeral Home, 5 Laurel Avenue Northport, on Thursday August 9^th, from 2-4 and 6-8 PM. Funeral Mass will be held Friday August 10^th, 10 AM Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church Centerport. Interment to follow at St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Huntington.