Mary Helen Bango, 90, of Glendale, Arizona, passed away on August 28, 2026. Born in New Haven, Connecticut, Mary later made her home in Glendale, where she built a beautiful life centered on family, friendship, kindness, and an extraordinary capacity to care for others.

Those who knew Mary will remember her sparkling eyes, her warm smile, and, most of all, her generous heart. She was the kindest and most genuine of souls—sweet, caring, endlessly giving, and always looking for a way to make someone else's day little brighter. She only spoke kindly of others, gave her love freely and without condition, and was the heart of her family. Those in her circle often said, “She is simply a saint.”

For more than 30 years, Mary served as Administrative Secretary to the Superintendent of Madison School District, where she earned the respect of those with whom she worked. The same qualities that defined her personal life—kindness, dedication, dependability, and a genuine concern for others—were evident throughout her lengthy career.

Mary found great happiness in life's simple pleasures. She loved reading a good book, working in her yard, cooking and baking, and searching for hidden treasures in antique and thrift shops. Mary was a very talented golfer in her younger years. She played in many tournaments in Connecticut. When she moved to Arizona, she played in women’s leagues and for pleasure with her husband, friends and her son.

She especially cherished time with dear friends Sheila and Mary Lou. But nothing brought Mary greater joy than her children, grandchildren, and the generations of family who followed.

Her home was a gathering place, especially for holidays and birthdays. Mary loved hosting family and friends and had a wonderful way of making everyone who walked through her door feel welcome. She went above and beyond for the people she loved, filling her kitchen with delicious home-cooked meals and amazing treats. Lucky are those who inherit her recipes, however lacking in secret ingredients or touches they may be – those remain with Mary. What will endure is the laughter, conversation, and memories that her family will carry into the future.

Mary is survived by her daughters, Nancy Banks, Pattie O'Brien (Jim), and Regina Davis (Scott); her son, George Bango; (Roxanne Phillips); nine grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and her brother, Leo Cove.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, George Bango; her parents, Leo and Helen Cove; and her brother, Francis Cove.

Ninety years cannot merely be calculated by birthdays or the passing of time. Mary's life is better measured by the people she welcomed into her home, the meals she prepared, the celebrations she made special, the wisdom she shared, the hands she was always willing to lend, and the generations of a family who knew they were deeply and unconditionally loved.

Mary's beautiful smile may be one of the things her family remembers most, but her greatest legacy will be the love behind it. That love lives on in her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, and in every act of kindness they carry forward in her memory.

She will be profoundly missed, lovingly remembered, and forever remain at the center of the family she held so dear.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Savior Hospice & Palliative Care or Sun Cities 4 Paws Rescue