Jean M Stefano

STEFANO - Jean M. "Martini Jeannie" (nee Lazzaro) Of Getzville, entered into rest peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on December 22, 2018, wife of the late John C. Stefano; devoted mother of Romy Stefano and Sandra (John) Stefano-Stypa; cherished grandmother of Jonathan and Megan Stypa; loving daughter of the late Frank Lazzaro and Rose Guida; dear sister of Frank (Donna) Lazzara and the late Nina (late Sunny) Scioli and Donna Winer; dearest sister-in-law of Jon Winer. A special thank you to all the caretakers that took care of our beautiful mother. Also survived by nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Relatives and friends may visit the LOMBARDO FUNERAL HOME (Northtowns Chapel), 885 Niagara Falls Blvd. near Eggert/Sheridan Dr., on Thursday from 2-8 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Pius X Church, 1700 North French Rd., Getzvile, on Friday morning at 10 o'clock (please assemble at church). Interment Mt. Calvary Cemetery. May 17, 1933 Dec. 22, 2018 Jean M. Stefano grew up in a family of restaurateurs. When she was a girl, her mother, Rose Lazzaro Nixon, worked at Olivers and the 31 Club, then opened the Good Oak Lunch at North Oak and Goodell streets in the 1940s with her brother, John Guida. Guida then founded John and Marys Subs in 1952. In 1957, her mother, joined by Mrs. Stefanos older sister, Antoinette Nina Scioli, and Ninas husband, opened an Italian restaurant, Mama Roses, at Kensington and Olympic avenues. Mrs. Stefano, who went on to own and operate John and Marys Subs shops, died unexpectedly Saturday in her Amherst home. She was 85. Born in Buffalo, the former Jean M. Lazzaro was a 1951 graduate of Kenmore High School and worked with her mother and uncle in the Good Oak Lunch. She and her husband, John C. Stefano, were married in 1958 and became owners and operators of the Good Oak Lunch after her mother opened Mama Roses. They sold it in 1960. She and her husband opened a John and Marys on Millersport Highway near Campbell Boulevard in Getzville in 1971 and owned another location in Lockport from 1978 to 2005. She retired about 10 years ago, but remained a co-owner of the Millersport Highway shop and regularly stopped in. Her daughters, Romy Stefano and Sandra Stefano-Stypa, own and operate the business. Shed come in and talk to customers, Romy said. She was there Friday night and she passed away less than 24 hours later. A devoted sports fan, she owned harness horses in the 1970s and raced them at Buffalo Raceway and Batavia Downs. She also was a Buffalo Bills season ticket holder for many years and attended three Super Bowls. Her husband died in 2010. In addition to her daughters, survivors include a brother, Frank Lazzara; and two grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. Friday in St. Pius X Catholic Church, 1700 North French Road, Getzville.