Mary Regina Mantica

Mary Regina Mantica, of Colonie, entered into eternal life on Friday, September 18, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family. Born June 7, 1940, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Mary was the beloved daughter of the late Dr. Joseph and Frances Buff of Loudonville, who adopted and lovingly raised her. She was also the daughter of her birth mother, the late Sarah “Sadie” Sheridan of Washington, DC.

Mary was a graduate of Vincentian Institute and a devoted communicant of St. Clare’s Church in Colonie. She was a woman of deep faith who cherished her family above all else.

Mary was the loving wife of Paul F. Mantica Sr., whom she married on June 2, 1962, at St. Pius Church in Loudonville. Together, they built a beautiful family and shared more than six decades of marriage.

She was the beloved mother of Shelly McDonald and her husband, Thomas, of Watervliet; Paul F. Mantica Jr. and his wife, Stacy, of North Bethesda, Maryland; John Mantica and his wife, Marybeth, of Glenville; Peter Mantica and his wife, Shannon, of Fort Wayne, Indiana; and David Mantica and his wife, Pamela, of Cary, North Carolina.

Mary was a devoted grandmother to Ashley Battipaglia and her husband, Joseph; Sarah Lichwich; Thomas McDonald and his wife, Meghan; John Mantica and his wife, Chelsea; Rachel Davis and her husband, Christopher; Emily Smith and her husband, Kyle; Daniel Mantica and his wife, Yoolim; Matthew Mantica and his wife, Jane; Megan Clouse and her husband, Zachary; Patrick McDonald and his wife, Dana; Lauren Tomkiewicz and her late husband, Matthew; Paige Mantica; Peter Mantica Jr.; Heather Mantica; Emma Mantica; and Carlie Mantica.

She was also a cherished great-grandmother to Ella Battipaglia, George Battipaglia, Henry Battipaglia, Cooper Davis, Addyson Lichwich, Quinn McDonald, Naomi Mantica, James Battipaglia, Lucas Clouse, Brady McDonald, Elizabeth Conroy - Mantica, Liam McDonald, Maeve McDonald, and Regina Smith.

Additionally, Mary is survived by her Buff siblings Louis Buff and his wife, Kathleen, of Loudonville; Bernard Buff and his wife, Roberta, of East Nassau; Martin Buff; Robert Buff and his wife, Noreen, of Latham; Beverly Buff, wife of Jerome Buff; Michael Buff of Albany; Susan Ciejka and her husband, William, of Latham; Barbara Burns of Colonie; and Paul Buff of Ballston Spa; and her sister, Mary Anne Joyce and her husband, Jerome, of Edgewater, Maryland.

She was predeceased by her siblings Joseph Buff and his wife, Dorothy; Francis Buff; Suzanne Buff, wife of Martin Buff; Jerome Buff; and Rosemary Buff, wife of Michael Buff, and Joyce Buff, wife of Paul Buff.

Mary will be remembered for her unwavering love of family, her faith, and the countless memories she created with those she held dear. Her greatest joy was being a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and her loving presence will remain in the hearts of her family and friends for generations to come.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday morning at 11:00 am at St. Clare’s Church, 1947 Central Ave., Colonie. Visitation will be Wednesday morning from 10 to 11 am at St. Clare's Church, prior to Mass. Entombment will follow at Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery, Niskayuna.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that those wishing to remember Mary make a donation in her memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org) or Community Hospice (communityhospice.org). To leave a message of condolence for the family, visit www.CannonFuneral.com 

Mary’s family is grateful for the love and friendship she received throughout her life and invites all who knew her to join them in celebrating her life and legacy.

Special thanks and appreciation to Hospice at home services for the extraordinary care provided to Mary. And to Hospice RNs, Laura, Paul, Patrick and Allen who brought peace to Mary in her distress. And a special recognition to Mary’s longtime Caregivers Danielle Braelfort, Patrice Adams, Lisa Laniewski and Yolanda Singletary who cared lovingly and faithfully for Mary throughout her illness. It is impossible to thank them for all their kindness.