Obituary of Mary Tozzo

Mary (Steblin) Tozzo was lifted on angels' wings at her home in North Miami Beach, FL to be with the Lord on November 2, 2015. Mary was born in Springfield, Massachusetts on September 23, 1959 to John and Jane Steblin. Mary graduated from Sacred Heart High School in Springfield MA and followed her mother's career in nursing attending Trinity College in Hartford CN and graduating with honors from the Bachelor's Program in Nursing and continuing with a Masters Degree in Nursing Education from Barry University in Miami Shores, Florida. Mary enjoyed a successful career at Parkway Regional Medical Center then Jackson North Medical Center in North Miami Beach, working in various nursing roles. Suffering from debilitating diabetes and Retinitis Pigmentosa, a congenital eye disease that causes visual impairment, Mary eventually had to leave bedside nursing and turned to educating doctors, nurses and patients about cancer treatment, diabetes and other topics. She was a published author of nursing articles and a member of several professional nursing organizations. She was an inspiration to family and friends in her struggle and success at remaining independent, supporting herself, and contributing to the medical community despite her disabilities. Mary met her husband Vincent Tozzo in Miami, and were married in 1997. Mary's family would like to express their appreciation to her friends and co-workers at Jackson North who took such good care of her when she was ill. The family requests any donations be made to The Lighthouse for the Blind or Oncology Nursing Society Foundation (ONS). Viewing and a service to celebrate Mary's life will be held at Joseph A. Scarano Funeral Home, 4351 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood FL 33021 on Monday November 9, 2015, from 4-7 PM. Burial will be in Massachusetts where Mary will be laid to rest with her mother and father at Oak Grove Cemetery. Mary is survived by her husband Vincent of North Miami Beach, a brother, Mark (and Sandy Steblin), of Tampa FL., and a niece, Sarah, a freshman at the University of Southern Florida studying nursing. Mary also leaves behind a beloved companion, her guide dog, Trixie who never left her side. Another longtime beloved and devoted guide dog, Harley Dee, predeceased Mary two years ago.