Marlene (Lange) Pimpinella

Mrs. Marlene (Lange) Pimpinella, age 79, of Utica, passed away on Good Friday, April 22, 2011at the St. Elizabeth Medical Center with the love and support of her family by her side. Born in Utica on October 7, 1931, Marlene was the daughter of the late Alexander and Margaret (Ward) Lange. Raised and educated locally, she attended T.R. Proctor High School. In 1948 she wed Pasquale M. Pimpinella who passed away on April 13, 2004. In a marriage based on the traditional values of their era, she devoted 54 years to family life as a loving wife and matriarch. Marlene’s joy in life was found in nurturing her family and caring for her home. A wonderful mother, she was a fine example of a woman who had wisdom, common sense, and a generous heart, traits that were memorably revealed when she interacted with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. As a gracious host, all were welcome to her home and to her table. The secret to her success in motherhood was that she was a good listener and a fair arbitrator. She was clever at card games with her loved ones, and especially enjoyed the game of “phase ten”. As a true believer of her Catholic faith, she honored St. Jude as her favorite saint and lived her life by the ideal that “what was meant to be, was meant to be”. Marlene is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Patrick and Cheron Pimpinella, and Paul and Carmelita Pimpinella, all of Utica; her daughters and son-in-law, Starlene Scirica of Utica, Sharon Pimpinella and Rick Piperata of Ilion, and Heidi and Anthony Loconti of Utica. She mourned the loss of her infant son, Peter Pimpinella, who died in 1960. She also leaves her grandchildren, Patrick P. Pimpinella and Lisa Swald, Peter D. Pimpinella and Laurie Selman; Michele and John Gagnon, Paul J. Pimpinella and Danielle Bronk-Pimpinella; Don and Sheri Vetrano, Shane and Amy Vetrano, Chad Vetrano; Nicholas Baris and Sonya Lim, Danielle Giruzzi; and Elaina Fanelli; and her 13 beloved great-grandchildren. Her loss will also be mourned by her sisters and brothers-in-law, Dorothy Lange, Joan and James Paravati, Louise and Stanley Badger, Mary Lange and companion Bob, and Ruth Denit; her brothers and sisters-in-law, Paul and Diane Lange, William and Janet Lange, and Richard and Joanne Lange; many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and in-laws. She was predeceased by her brother, John Lange; her sisters, Betty Lange, Patricia Lange, and Margaret “Peggy” Ernst. The family is thankful to the nurses and entire staff at the St. Elizabeth Medical Center for the valued attention and care given to Marlene and her family. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a Memorial gathering in honor of Marlene which will be held on Saturday, April 30, 2011 from 3:00-4:00 the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave. Her funeral service and Celebration of Life will commence on Saturday afternoon at 4:00 immediately upon conclusion of the gathering with Msgr. Francis Willenburg officiating the ceremony.

Marlene (Lange) Pimpinella

October 7, 1931 - April 22, 2011