Mary Giovanina Emmi Spezza

December 5, 1920 - March 28, 2013

Mary Giovanina Emmi Spezza entered into eternal peace March 28, 2013 on Holy Thursday at the age of 92. Mary was born on December 5, 1920 in Canastota, NY. She was the third child of ten. Her parents Joseph and Angela (Alibrandi) Emmi were from Linguaglossa and Castiglione, Sicily. She attended Phoenix High School and was unable to finish her schooling due to the Great Depression. She always valued education although she was not able to pursue it herself. Along with working on the family farm, she worked at Julius Resnick Handbag Factory, Syracuse China and Boulevard Grocery where she met her husband Fred after World War II. Mary and Fred were married September 1, 1947 in Our Lady of Pompeii Church in Syracuse. They soon moved to Schenectady where with her help Fred founded Mohawk Heating Company. They made their home in Niskayuna. Mary was a member of Our Lady of Fatima Church (Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Parish). She was also a member of The Edison Club where she enjoyed golf, the beauty of the course and friendship. Mary was a wonderful cook, gardener, and created a welcoming home. She devoted herself to her family; both her immediate family and relatives throughout the world. Her love for nature was evident in all that she did. She captured many sunsets in photographs and her paintings of her beloved Brant Lake. During Mary's lengthy illness her grace overcame many trying times. Through every stage she developed friends and found a circle of wonderful people. Mary's family has so much gratitude for those that cared for her and who helped them along this journey, particularly the staff at Westmount Health Facility and Pleasant Valley for their remarkable care. She is survived by her two children, Geraldine and her husband Peter Groff of Queensbury and Frederick Spezza and his wife Deborah of Schoharie; her grandchildren, Kris (Wendy) Spezza, Catherine (Craig) Clermont, Anna (Scott) Reynolds, William Groff, Matthew (Milena) Tiscione and Marc Tiscione; 7 great grandchildren; two sisters, Virginia Vulcano of Jamesville, Eleanor Annese of North Syracuse and one brother Anthony Emmi of East Syracuse; and many nieces, nephews and cousins whom she adored. Services will be held on Friday, at 8am at the Rossi & Ditoro Funeral Home, Union at N. Jay Street and then to Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Parish, Rosa Road, where a Mass will be celebrated at 9am. Entombment will follow in Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited and may call at the Rossi & Ditoro Funeral Home on Thursday from 4 to 7 pm. Memorial contributions may be made in Mary's memory to Brant Lake Milfoil c/o Brant Lake Association, PO Box 88, Brant Lake, NY 12815.