Mrs. Margaret A. (Tomaino) Schepsis

Mrs. Margaret A. (Tomaino) Schepsis, age 92, was reunited with her husband when she passed away on Wednesday, October 28, 2015 at the Siegenthaler Center. She passed away in peace and dignity with her loving family by her side. Born in Utica on February 5, 1923, Margaret was the daughter of the late Pasquale and Saverina “Sarah” (Sinopoli) Tomaino. An alumna of T.R. Proctor High School, Margaret ranked in the Top Ten of her 1940 graduating class where she was also proud to have been the editor of the Proctorian Yearbook. She continued her education at the St. Elizabeth School of Nursing and in 1944 she was awarded her licensure as a Registered Professional Nurse in the state of New York. She went on to earn her Bachelor of Science degree from Syracuse University in 1965. On December 11, 1943, she wed Anthony A. Schepsis, Sr. Margaret was a loving and nurturing wife, her husband in turn, reciprocated with loving support. As newlyweds, Anthony was serving in the United States Army stationed in Berlin, Germany, and their years in Berlin were a memorable time of their life. They returned to Utica in 1950. Margaret and Anthony reveled in each other’s personal and professional achievements during their 43 years together. Anthony passed away on April 18, 1987. Margaret began her career in clinical nursing and private duty in local hospitals. Then she found her love… as a School Nurse Teacher with the Utica City School District, primarily at Roosevelt and Kemble Elementary Schools. To her very last days, she was deeply touched when former students remembered her for her compassionate ways. She was an advocate of good health and wellbeing for each individual student under her motherly care. It was her calling in life to be among those who needed her, a service she felt privileged to provide until her retirement in the early 1990’s. As a loving matriarch, Margaret provided a stable and secure home for her family, and as a mother, she loved her children unconditionally. Blessed with great strength of character, she was very regimented and timely in all her endeavors, and her energy knew no bounds. Her life was focused on family and fostering traditional values in her children. She was a bountiful home cook, passionate and dedicated when it came to preparing meals. She was an economical shopper and accrued many treasures from her travels at home and abroad. But above all else, it was the blessing of her children and their accomplishments, as well as the generations that followed that made Margaret so grateful and proud. She loved her children equally, but being an Italian mother and having a son who became a doctor was the best! Loved ones had no problem picking the perfect gift for Margaret as she was a Donald Duck collector, complete with a room reserved for displaying her accumulated artifacts. She was also an avid reader of fiction novels. Since the early 50’s, Margaret and her family enjoyed camping and spending summers filled with adventure and travel. Even in these leisurely settings, she planned and prepared food with great ingenuity. In her retirement, Margaret frequented the Fitness Mill on a daily basis and soon took charge of the Kid’s Kamp and kept it afloat at a higher level; Al Calogero was like a second son to Margaret and she adored and respected him in a very genuine, motherly manner. In kind, she became the keeper of the keys, coffee, and towels! In 2012, Margaret chose a new home at the Villas in Clinton where she enjoyed independent living where she flourished and participated in the plentiful activities and had an array of wonderful friends. She practiced her Catholic faith at Historic Old St. John’s Church where she volunteered her time and enjoyed working at the annual bazaar. Margaret is survived by her children and their loves, Carmelita M. and Robert “RB” Balsdon of Holland Patent, and Deborah A. Schepsis of Utica and Guy Rzotkiewicz, Dr. Anthony A., Jr. and Jocelyn Schepsis of Marblehead, MA; her grandchildren, Richard Jr., Sarah and Jose J. Colon; Alexandra Schepsis, Anthony A. Schepsis III, and their mother, Maryellen, and Reagan Sewards; and her great-grandchildren, Natalie, and Santino Anthony Colon. She also leaves her nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins. She was blessed with many friends throughout the years with special mention of Rachael Sciortino, and Don, and Kevin from the Fitness Mill. Her life was most complete when she was in the company of her nephew and nieces, Leo “Sonny” and Maria Callari, and Karen Angelicchio. She was predeceased by her sisters and brother-in-law, Jennie R. Callari, and Angeline “Angie” and Nicholas Frank; her brother and sisters-in-law, Bruno N. and Palma Tomaino, and Dorothy Tomaino. Margaret was lovingly and compassionately cared for by the nurses and nurse’s aides of Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc., especially Julie, Irene, Emily, Georgia, and Justin, as well as her healthcare providers while she was at home, particularly Jeanette George, who was an exceptional caregiver. In keeping with her family’s wishes, there will be no public visitation. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Margaret’s funeral service and Celebration of Life which will commence on Saturday afternoon at 12:30 at Historic Old St. John’s Church where her Mass of Christian burial will be offered. The family will receive visitors at the conclusion of the Mass. Those wishing to express an act of kindness may make a donation in Margaret’s memory to Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc. or the Siegenthaler Center (4277 Middle Settlement Rd., New Hartford, NY 13413), in lieu of floral offerings; envelopes will be available at the service. Entombment will take place alongside her husband in the family’s private mausoleum in Calvary Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave.

Mrs. Margaret A. (Tomaino) Schepsis

February 5, 1923 - October 28, 2015