Mary Joan Marotta

November 3, 1924 - October 20, 2013

Mary Joan Marotta, 88, of Schenectady, died peacefully at Albany Medical Hospital on Sunday, October 20, 2013. She was born to the late Salvatore and Maria Coscia Iovinella on November 3, 1924 in Schenectady, New York. Mary graduated from Nott Terrace High School in 1942. She married the late Michael Marotta in 1946. They shared 64 years of marriage and had five loving children. Michael and Mary lived and worked in the Schenectady area their entire lives. Mary regarded the raising of her five children and grandchildren as her most important purpose in life. To that end, she was a dedicated mother, homemaker, friend, and joyful companion. During WWII, Mary worked as a secretary at GE. She returned to work later in life, working in the Business Office at Ellis Hospital, in a position she very much enjoyed. She also worked as a prep cook for Cornell's Restaurant and was known throughout the community for her delicious homemade rice pudding. She loved reading, watching old movies, and most of all being with friends and family, planning holiday dinners and events. Among her very favorite "people" was Titan, one of many beloved family pets. Mary's eyes sparkled with laughter and a love of life. She always displayed joy, optimism, charm and grace and was so deeply loved by all who had the good fortune of knowing her. Mary was a communicant of St. Anthony's Church in Schenectady. She was predeceased by her sisters and brothers: Julia Burroughs, Antoinette Giannelli, Guido Iovinella, Edith Wise, and Salvatore Iovinella, Jr. Mary is survived by her five children: Michele Marotta (Richard) Ruzzo of Clifton Park, Michael D. Marotta of Westminster, Colorado, Christopher (Suzanne Dwyer) Marotta of Glenville, James Marotta of Schenectady and Jeffrey Marotta of Schenectady; her grandchildren, Richard (Bernice Hughes) Ruzzo Jr. and Jason Miller; great grandchildren Joshua, Justin, Antonia and Alyssa, many beloved nieces and nephews and many, many treasured friends. The family wishes to thank the doctors and nurses at both Ellis Hospital Emergency and Albany Medical Center ICU for their excellent care and compassion. Family and Friends are invited to call at the Rossi & Ditoro Funeral Home on Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. Services will be held on Friday at 9 a.m. from the Rossi & Ditoro Funeral Home, Union and N. Jay Streets, then to St. Anthony's Church, Seward Place, where a Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at St. Anthony's Cemetery, Glenville. In lieu of flowers, kindly consider donations in memory of Mary J. Marotta to Peppertree Rescue, PO Box 2396, Albany, NY 12220.