Mary Zotta Scarchilli

WATERFORD-Mary Zotta Scarchilli, 88 of Washington Avenue, passed away on Monday, December 15 peacefully at home surround by those who adored her.

Mary was born as Donata Maria on February 2, 1926 in Pietragalla, a small mountainous town in the Province of Basicilata, Italy. She was the youngest child of Maria Antonia Pafundi and Michele Zotta. After the death of her mother and father, she was forced to leave the comfort of her home, a loving Nonna, family and friends to embark on what was perceived to be a better way of life in America. Immigrating to America on Jan 17, 1935 she joined her brother Gaetano Zotta and a sister Carmela DeBonis and their families in the capital region.

Mary earned her GED at the age of 35 as she was unable to complete her schooling as an adolescent due to the need to support herself. She continued her education at Troy Beauty School and then received her associate's degree in business administration at HVCC.

In the early '60's she began her career with NYS government as a secretary in the legislative office of Senator Joseph Bruno. She moved on to the NYS Division of the Budget and retired after 30 years of service in 2000. She also owned and operated Natechia's beauty salon from her home.
She was a lifetime member of the American Legion Women's Auxiliary Post 1450 in Clifton Park and a lifetime member of the Italian Community Center and Women's Auxiliary in Troy. She was a member of the AARP Troy Chapter, Friends of the Waterford Library, the Waterford Seniors, Waterford Museum and the Waterford Republican Committee in which she ran for Mayor in the late 80's.
She was an avid Bocce player and participated in many leagues; the ICC Women's Auxiliary Thursday night league, Wednesday night AARP league, Monday afternoon Blanch and Gus league and Thursday night Waterford Seniors league, playing competitively into her late 80's until her final game in Jan of 2014. She was a lifelong communicant of St. Mary's Church and a volunteer at Stratton VA Medical Center. She returned to her homeland twice and she enjoyed traveling throughout the country and spending her summers in Lake George and winters in Florida. She enjoyed sewing, reading, knitting, gardening, bowling and Judge Judy. She could make one mean pizza and the best Quanti. She honored her Italian heritage and traditions which she passed on to her children.
The Scarchilli family is eternally grateful to the many medical professionals who cared for our mother, especially Dr. Allison DeTommasi and the staff from Albany Memorial Hospital Heart and Fusion Program.
Mary is predeceased by her husband John 'Pep' Scarchilli whom she married on July 2, 1950 and who died February 5, 1978, her beloved son John Scarchilli who died on June 5, 2010 and her siblings Gaetano, Carmella and Angela Maria Rotundi.
She is survived by her guardian, best friend and sister Filomena Zotta DeFrancesco, her devoted children Deborah Scarchilli, Doreen Ditoro and Richard Scarchilli; grandchildren, whom she cherished, John 'Jay' Scarchilli and his wife Raechel, Zachary Scarchilli and his wife Julie, Donata Maria Ditoro, Lucas Scarchilli, Rafaela Ditoro, and Gabriella Ditoro; great grandchildren Michael, Gabriel and John; daughter-in-law Nancy Scarchilli and son-in-law David Ditoro; cherished feline friend Moshie and many loving nephews, nieces and cousins in America and Italy.
Services will be held Saturday morning at 8:30am from the Philip J. Brendese Funeral Home, 133 Broad Street and then to St. Mary's Church where a mass of Christian burial will be concelebrated at 9:30am. Interment will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery.
Relatives and friends are invited and may call at the Philip J. Brendese Funeral Home Friday afternoon from 3 to 7pm.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in Mary's memory to St. Mary's Church Restoration Fund, 119 Broad St, Waterford NY or the American Legion Women's Auxiliary Post 1450 275 Grooms Rd, Clifton Park, NY.
Arrangements are by the Rossi & Ditoro Funeral Home, Schenectady.