Bette Ann Beatrice Mammone

NEW HARTFORD - Non-profits, Fundraising, Philanthropy, Grants, Annual Giving, Volunteer Management, Planned Giving, Community Outreach, Community Development… and the list goes on, just as the spirit of Bette Ann Mammone's legacy should go on, through us, the living. This was her life: Bette Ann Mammone, age 61, was reunited with her parents when she passed away on Monday, June 26, 2017 at The Pines at Utica Center for Nursing & Rehabilitation. At the time of her passing, she was amid the love and support of her family. Born in Utica on March 5, 1956, Bette Ann was the daughter of the late Frank P. and Antoinette (Tomaino) Mammone. She was a graduate of Utica Catholic Academy/Class of 1974 and continued her education at Elmira College where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism. She had an abiding love for her Alma Mater and during her junior year she studied at Oxford University in England. She graduated cum laude in 1978. She began her post-graduate work at Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI where she was awarded a Master of Arts degree in Journalism in 1981. She then relocated to Chicago where she enjoyed her employment and learned to love city living. From Chicago, her travels took her to New York City and then to Cornell University in Ithaca, NY where she was appointed Assistant Director of Planned Giving, and in her own words, “had the opportunity to flourish and learn with the nation’s premier planned giving experts about the true meaning behind giving”. She said it was “an amazing beginning to a blessed career in philanthropy.” Her next move was to Syracuse University where her talents for fundraising continued in her position as Director of Development/Regional Development. Bette felt that it was not only an outstanding professional opportunity but also an extension of the legacy of her father Frank P. Mammone whose affiliation with Utica College of Syracuse University spanned more than 62 years. Utica then became her home again while concurrently commuting to her job as Chief Institutional Advancement Officer of Cazenovia College. She then accepted a position with the Utica City School District as a Program Developer and Grant Writer. She said that Utica was the turning point for her, where all that she had worked for in individual giving was shattered by the reality of how poverty burdens the child’s ability to learn, flourish, and hopefully pursue a college education. She was instrumental in creating and implementing a funding program for the District that continues to this day. Then, a dream came true as she established her own company, opening as Mammone Enterprises and Training in Funding Strategies where she worked on internal projects and embraced a mission that followed the ideas of her great-grandfather Gaetano. She found in herself the ability to appreciate that the needs of each person should be recognized, and for the people who needed a voice, hers was clear and never wavered. She flourished when working with those in need and with faith-based organizations. Higher education was instrumental in giving her a clear vision into her life’s work. During the past ten years, Bette Ann found a niche in the insurance industry with the love of her life, John “Gianni” Del Buono, at the Del Buono Agency. They also worked together in the community in collaboration with fundraising and charitable events. Prominent among Bette Ann’s accomplishments were: the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church at Ground Zero in New York City; Grand Rapids, Michigan YMCA, site of the first certified universal access building, in the world!; Field of Dreams Sports Complex in Schuyler; Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia fundraising; and the establishment of the Equine Center at Cazenovia College. In 2005, she received the Mohawk Valley Business Journal’s Woman In Business award. Bette Ann served on numerous boards and was an advisor to many organizations, her baseline for meeting people in unique settings. She knew the politics of business, and her intelligence was stellar and admired, but her best blessing was her kind soul that inspired all her efforts to uplift the lives of those less fortunate. Her camp at Cedar Lake was her private sanctuary. Throughout her life she collected countless teacups and tea pots and noted that “Each one had its own story to tell”. She enjoyed the comfort and pleasures of pampering herself and was nicknamed “Barbizon Bette” by her sisters. She was congenial and presented herself with style and grace. She had a sense of humor and a generous heart. Dining out was a pleasurable time, especially when she was in the company of the many good people she knew. Saint Joseph was her patron saint and each year she held a dinner in his honor… and the proceeds were given to a charitable cause. Bette Ann was extremely strong and determined, always filled with hope and faith, and never gave up her battle. Bette shared a relationship with John “Gianni” Del Buono that spanned more than 20 years. Throughout the years in all instances and occasions, they were always there for each other and sharing their special love. Of all of her accomplishments, she was most proud of her daughter Anna Beatrice Mammone-London who was her reason for living. Their strong bond and dedication to each other could not be broken. Together they shared similar joys in life, laughter, and commitment to family. In addition to being survived by her daughter Anna Beatrice of Chicago, IL, she also leaves her beloved fiancé Gianni and his children who she loved as her own, Amanda, Matthew, and Nicholas; and her sisters and brothers-in-law, Jo Ann and John Mox, and Diane and T. Christopher Mumau. Also left to cherish her memory is her nephew, Thomas Frank Mumau of whose accomplishments she was so proud; her uncles, Frank and Carol Tomaino, Paul Meyers; numerous cousins, especially acknowledging Donna Jean Meyers; her in-laws, Robert and Angela Del Buono; and brother-in-law, Bobby Del Buono. She cherished her relationship with her former husband, Stevie London, and his husband Jon. She will be missed by her circle of loyal, longtime friends who meant the world to her, including Lauretta Weller “Roomie”, John Maya “Little Brother”, Ken Hicks, Sue Martelloto, Jennifer Spring, Sue and Tom Keeler, and all their families, and Jay and Gina McFarland. She had the good fortune to be loved by Dr. Patricia Laino who was her adopted mother. She was predeceased by her maternal grandparents, Joseph and Beatrice Tomaino; paternal grandparents, Anthony and Elizabetta Mammone; uncle Albert “Albie” Tomaino whom she adored; and her very best and closest friend, Albert Circelli. The family extends their gratitude to Dr. Nicole LeBoeuf and Dr. Anna Dewan of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, compassionate professionals that Bette called her ‘champions’; Dr. Daniel Welchons, Judy Balch/NP, and second floor staff at The Pines at Utica who were so kind and caring, as well as the empathetic Palliative Care team. Visitation will be held Saturday from 11:30-12:30 at St. Louis Gonzaga Church, 520 Rutger Street. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Dana–Farber Cancer Institute online at http://www.dana-farber.org; envelopes will be available at the service. Bette Ann’s funeral service and Celebration of Life will commence on Saturday afternoon at 1:00 at the church where her Mass of Christian Burial will be offered by Rev. Amadeo Guida. Entombment will take place in Calvary Cemetery at the convenience of the family. “It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving”—- Mother Teresa

Bette Ann Beatrice Mammone

March 5, 1956 - June 26, 2017