Melody L. "Mel" Sortino

Melody L. “Mel” (Lawrence) Sortino, went home to heaven on Saturday, January 31, 2015 when she passed away at the Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare Center with the love and support of her family. Born in Ogdensburg, NY, Melody was the daughter of the late George and Leona (Losey) Lawrence. She also knew the love of her late step-father, Robert Baker. Raised and educated locally, she attended Utica Free Academy. At one time, she was married to Frank Annese and to that union came the blessing of twin daughters. The couple remained close as parents and were always concerned for the wellbeing of each other and their children. Mel entered into a second union when she married Fernando A. Sortino on St. Valentine’s Day in 1997; they loved each other, watched over each other’s family, and shared meaningful moments and memories that will last forever. Mel worked as a waitress at various area restaurants and nursing facilities. She was a direct and honest person, persuasive in her viewpoints and passionate about her commitments. Even in the face of ill health, Mel strived to please everyone in her life. She loved to entertain family and friends, and she did it in her own special style, “a la Sortino”. She was a multi-talented cook and baker, from gourmet meals to candy making, and back to comfort food. She did it all! Those were the happiest times for her. She watched cooking shows on television and took thoughts and ideas and created an even more superb meal. When she was in good health, she was passionate about cooking, listening to music, and dancing. But her greatest joy was in knowing that her children turned out to be good people and experiencing the blessing of grandchildren bestowed by God. Mel enjoyed bowling, bingo, “playing the ponies”, and books; crossword puzzles, energy of live music, and computer games. And most of all --- animals! She had a menagerie of God’s creatures: her canine, B.B., her feline, Sandy, her birds, Fletch and Oscar, and her fish, Spike, all of whom lived in happy harmony under her gentle care. Mel had a great spiritual devotion to Our Lady of Fatima, Padre Pio, and St. Anthony. Melody is survived by her husband, Fernando; her son, Carl “Shawn” Beyer; her daughters and son-in-law, Kalynn Kiley, and Kara and Sean Mazzatti; and her grandchildren, Alex, Gavin, and Gianna Kiley. She will also be missed by her sisters and brothers-in-law, Diane Dimock, Dawn and Carmelo Cotto, and Darlene Lawrence; her brothers and sister-in-law, Robert and Mary O’Connor, Robin Lawrence, Kerry Baker, and Leslie Baker; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, in-laws, Kathy Lawrence, Jackie Lawrence, Anthony Sortino, and Robert Sortino; her good and loyal friend, Terri Moracco; her longtime neighbors, John and Christina Trzepacz, and Marky; and family friend, Dean Cassidy, who has been of great support during this difficult time. She was predeceased by her sisters, Infant Veronica Lawrence, and Beverly “Midge” Lawrence; her brothers, Connie Lawrence, William Lawrence, and James Carpenter; her husband’s parents, Ferdinando and Concetta (Tramutta) Sortino; and her brother-in-law, Rosario “Za” Sortino. The family is grateful to Lori Otis of the St. Elizabeth Family Practice Center on Middle Settlement Road for her many years of compassion and understanding; the entire staff of the Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare Center, especially the Critical Care Unit nurses and personnel, Sr. Sharon Anne, and Deacon Paul who provided spiritual solace to Mel. Visitation will be held Tuesday from 4-6 at the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave. Melody’s funeral service and Celebration of Life will commence on Tuesday evening at 6:00 at the funeral home immediately upon conclusion of visitation with Rev. John Buehler officiating the ceremony