Marie A. (Trotta) Luce

E. UTICA – Marie A. (Trotta) Luce, age 85, peacefully transitioned to her home in heaven on Saturday, February 15, 2025. Her passing occurred in the comfort and dignity of her earthly home, with her loving family by her side. Born in Utica on March 30, 1939, Marie was the daughter of the late Gerald A. “Jerry” Sr. and Louise (DiJoseph) Trotta. She attended St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Grammar School and was a proud graduate of Utica Catholic Academy/Class of 1957. On October 25, 1958, she joined in holy matrimony with Louis R. Luce. Their relationship, based on their mutual faith, blossomed throughout their 32-year union. Marie loved Louis' sense of humor, and they truly complimented each other in life. Louis' sudden passing on December 16, 1990, left Marie to carry on their legacy of commitment on her own. As part of that commitment, she always kept her loved ones close to her and strove to keep them close to each other as well. Her heart always belonged to Louis, and she missed him each and every day. After focusing her time and energy on raising and nurturing her children, Marie began her working career with Smith Laundry and Dry Cleaners on Lansing St. Her true passion though, was dedicating herself and her time to nonprofit organizations such as Catholic Charities and Utica Community Action, Inc. It was with this organization that she worked tirelessly on the improvement and weatherization of housing for those in need for 20 years until their division’s closing. Lastly, she much enjoyed her position as a lunchroom monitor with the Utica City School District; she just loved every one of those children! Marie felt so blessed to have had such success in helping so many people throughout her career, something that she was unaware of, yet came so naturally to her. Marie was enthusiastically involved in the lives of her children and grandchildren. She was levelheaded, encouraging, fair, positive, and uplifting. Marie's inquisitive nature gave her a sixth sense about things, allowing her to be patient enough to wait until her loved ones were ready to share their thoughts and worries with her. All woven from the same cloth, Marie's family has been blessed generationally to share her core values. She was one who lived by the "golden rule" of maintaining a non-judgmental mindset and always searching for proper ways to handle life’s situations, and she was consistently willing to try new ways of dealing with matters. Marie, who could be quite adventurous, found much joy in traveling over the years to many events, including concerts and musicals. She was, as some would say, a true “dancing queen.” Marie was also an accomplished and bountiful cook and baker. She maintained familial traditions through her culinary skills and taught the following generations the ways of making traditional Italian foods and baked goods. Affectionately known as “Nanny” to family and friends, the seats around Marie’s kitchen table were always full, and for her, the more the merrier! Marie inherited her first feline companion, “Christa,” who ruled the roost. Then her black cat “Bella” came along, who was a rescue. Bella was very skittish at first but through Marie’s gentle nature and persistence, she finally came around. Her third cat, ready or not, was taken into her home, and Marie gave “Baby” the best years of her life. The family parish was that of St. Agnes Church. Marie raised her children in that church and held a close relationship with the late Monsignor Francis J. Willenburg. She was active in the parish festivals, where she could be found working at the sausage and peppers station or any other position needed. Marie was a faithful follower of her Lord Jesus Christ. Later, as a parishioner of St. Mary of Mt. Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Parish, Marie’s faith and circle of friends grew as she gave her time volunteering. She was an active Eucharistic minister, substitute greeter, and currently served as treasurer of the St. Ann Society. Marie was always available to accept any responsibility asked of her, and she observed the Church’s holy days with much reverence. Anyone who knew Marie will always remember the question she often posed, “Did you eat?” Faithful and true were her children and daughters-in-law, Divina M. Fieger, Anthony L. “Tony” and Dawn Luce, Louis R. Jr. and Michelle Luce, and Eugenia L. “Gina” Luce. She will forever remain in the hearts of her beloved grandchildren, Matthew and Diana Fieger, Jessica Fieger; Giavanna Luce and Zack Cortese, Anthony A. “Little Anthony” Luce; Samantha Luce, and Louis A. Luce; and her precious great-grandchildren, Helen Marie Fieger; and Luciano Anthony Cortese. Marie was anticipating the birth of an additional great-granddaughter, Margaret S. Fieger, due in March 2025. Marie had true affection and love for her siblings and their families. She shared their joys and worried about all their life’s concerns. Surviving are her sister, Rita Nitti (the late Joseph Nitti, Jr.); and her brothers and sisters-in-law, Frank and Gloria Trotta, and Vincent “Vinny” and Rosalind “Roz” Trotta. She cherished the memory of her brother who preceded her in 2018, Gerald A. “Jerry” Trotta, II. Her loss is also felt by her sister-in-law, Lorraine Luce (the late Joseph Luce); many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins residing in Utica, Texas, and California. She always remembered her nephews and nieces who preceded her, Gerald “Pepe” Trotta II, Salvatore Luce, and infants Anthony J. Luce, Eugenia Veronica Luce, and Theresa Marie Luce. Marie had plentiful and consistent relationships throughout her life, especially with her longtime friends, Carmelita Verdura, and Rose Marie Love. She appreciated so many precious friends who had gone before her, and she especially never forgot Nancy and Sam Simbari and the wonderful times shared with them. Marie was additionally predeceased by her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Anthony “Ando” and Jennie (Ruggiero) Luce; and her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Anthony and Edith Luce, and Pasquale and Phyllis Luce. The Luce family would like to extend their gratitude to Dr. Alicia DeTraglia and PA Stacey who rendered such compassionate care to Marie. She received her treatments at the Regional Cancer Center where she always walked in with a smile; the staff just loved her and they were mutually uplifting to each other. Thank you as well to Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., who came with love, especially RN Crystal, Social Worker Ashley, and Jennifer who was her final caretaker; each of them were filled with affection for Marie ~ they displayed dignity, openness, coaching skills, and were always a phone call away. Additional appreciation is expressed to all of Marie’s family and friends for their prayers and support. A special note to Father Joseph Salerno for the anointing of the sick which he offered in such a unique and serene way. Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 20, 2025, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave. In lieu of floral offerings, memorial contributions in Marie’s honor may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital online at www.stjude.org/donate, St. Mary of Mt. Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Parish online at www.mountcarmelblessedsacrament.com/donate, or Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc. online at www.hospicecareinc.org/donate-online; envelopes will also be available at the funeral home. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Marie’s Mass of Christian Burial and Celebration of Life, which will commence on Friday, February 21, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary of Mt Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Parish, 684 Jay, St. For those unable to attend, the Mass will be livestreamed at www.youtube.com/@eannacefuneralhome804/streams. Committal prayers will follow at Christ Our Savior Mausoleum at Calvary Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest next to her husband.

Marie A. (Trotta) Luce

March 30, 1939 - February 15, 2025