Obituary of Mauro Mary Ostermann

Mauro Mary Pomilio Ostermann

Mauro Mary Pomilio Ostermann passed away on May 24, 2024, with her loving family by her side. Mauro was born in Rome, New York on October 10, 1936. She was the eleventh and final child born to Mauro and Rose Nigro Pomilio. She attended Rome Free Academy and graduated in 1955. Mauro was an active member of Transfiguration Church where she sang in the choir and belonged to the sodality. Upon graduation she went to work as a secretary at Griffiss Air Force Base.

In the summer of 1957 Mauro moved to Tampa, Florida. She married Fred Ostermann on February 21, 1959. Fred passed away on March 22, 2000. Mauro and Fred had two daughters, Jenifer, and Nicole.

Mauro found her true passion at the University of South Florida. She worked in the USF Office of Development and Alumni Relations. She was the first coordinator of the USF Ambassadors, an organization that served as a link between the current students and alumni. Mauro transferred to the USF Athletics Department, where she became first coordinator of the USF Cheerleaders and USF Dance Team. During her 30 years at USF, she developed close relationships with her student athletes and would help them fix any problem they may be having. Mauro made every person she met feel special, and in return she was admired and respected by everyone who had the good fortune of knowing her.

After Mauro retired, she moved to Lutz, Florida where she very much enjoyed living. She was on the HOA board for years and could be seen driving her beloved convertible all around town. Her house always had treats for the children in the neighborhood and everyone was welcome.

Mauro loved visiting her daughters Jenifer in Indianapolis and Nicole in New York City. She especially loved the trips to Vermont in the winter. Mauro felt Christmas was not Christmas without snow. She even made a snow angel last year when they arrived for the holidays.

Mauro lived in Florida until 2022 when she moved to New York.

Surviving Mauro are two daughters Jenifer (James Waanders) and Nicole (Jonathan Kloos), two grandchildren, Zachary Capehart and Surelle Kloos and two great grandchildren, Sophia Capehart and Luna Capehart, along with many nieces and nephews.

Mauro was predeceased by her husband, Fred, four brothers Mauro Jr., Daniel, Joseph, and Anthony “Bozo” Pomilio and six sisters Julia Gibson, Jessie Nash, Antoinetta Hammock, Maggie LaButti, Della Martello, and Theresa Merola.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the University of South Florida Bulls Club (https://mybullsclub.com/) which provides scholarships to student athletes.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday May 31, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at Transfiguration Church, 111 Ridge Street, Rome, N.Y., with the Rev. Paul F. Angelicchio officiating, where family and friends are invited to attend. The family will receive friends at Church from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. prior to the Mass.

Arrangements are by the Nicholas J. Bush Funeral Home, Inc., 7751 Merrick Rd. Rome, N.Y. 

To offer online condolences, please visit www.njbushfuneralhome.com.