As Buddy Valastro watched his show, Cake Boss, become an international phenomenon — appearing in 220 countries and territories, prompting nearly perpetual lines in his bake shops — the baker made a promise: "No matter how big I get, or how hard I work, I never, ever forget where I come from," he said in a recent Delish interview. He's stayed close to his Hoboken roots, and in one of his greatest times of need, his family in New Jersey didn't forget that.
On Wednesday, as Buddy shut down his stores worldwide to honor his mother's passing, flowers started lining the outside of Carlo's Bake Shop, his flagship location. Before long, the floral arrangements covered the windows of the bakery. It prompted people to stop, mid-commute, Instagramming and tweeting their condolences to the Valastro family.
These weren't simple drugstore arrangements. Each of the three decorated boards — and elaborate floral archway — spanned several feet. One read "Mama Mary" in pink flowers. Another, "#1 Grandma," and the third was a perfect replica of the Carlo's storefront, complete with miniature cakes — all made entirely out of flowers.
Cappelletti Florist in nearby Union City created the designs, working with the Valastro family to design the tribute in a way that'd honor Mary's personality, a representative for Carlo's Bake Shop said.
The display was so moving that Buddy shared it on Instagram later that day with the simple caption, "Hoboken <3."
A funeral service was held for the Valastro family matriarch on Wednesday, prompting the stores to close for the day. Mary died at 69 years old, following an 8-year battle with ALS. Buddy and his family has been devoted to fighting the cause since his mother's diagnosis, launching the Momma Mary Foundation to raise money to find a cure for the neurodegenerative disease.
"Her battle with ALS has ended, she is no longer suffering, and I hope she's dancing to 'I Will Survive' with my dad right now," Buddy wrote in an Instagram post, announcing his mother's passing.
Mary is survived by her five children and 14 grandchildren, NewJersey.com reported.
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