Mrs. Marie Concetta "Mema" (Ferrese) Grimaldi

UTICA – Mrs. Marie Concetta “Mema” (Ferrese) Grimaldi, age 90, peacefully passed into the arms of her loving Savior Jesus Christ on Wednesday, November 15, 2023. At the time of her passing she was in the company of her sons, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, and sisters, and in the hearts of her entire family. Born in Utica on June 3, 1933, Marie was the daughter of the late Frank and Rose M. (Thomas) Ferrese. She was a graduate of T. R. Proctor High School/Class of 1951. Marie married the love of her life, Fred J. Grimaldi, Jr. on August 23, 1952. They centered their love around one another and their family. She gave her heart and soul to her marriage and honored their vows. Marie and Fred shared over 60 years together prior to his passing October 1, 2012, and she missed him to her very last day. Marie began her career in the field of law. At an early age, she began working at the Law Firm of Leon Marketos and Arnold Capecelatro. She then took time away from the office and devoted several years to raising her children. Her return to work came with well-earned respect and advancement. The highlight of her career was her position with the Clerks of the United States Bankruptcy Court, achieving the title of Judicial Assistant to the Honorable Leon Marketos and Honorable Stephen Gerling. Marie retired in 1994, after 25 years of dedicated service. Marie was a mother who taught her sons how to grow in love and respect. As boys, they never realized how much their parents silently sacrificed to give them the best they could. Her actions showed that her family came first, and they emulated her example. Marie taught that the decisions they made should be their best choices. Her family always knew they could come to her with any problem, and she would help them anyway she could find the right path. Marie’s family surrounded her throughout her entire life and together they had many great adventures. She was full of joy and optimism in her life always. Music played a key part, whether simply being played in her home or listening to the beat of a band. She always looked forward to her Saturday night going to church with Frank and David and after mass meeting at Dave and Lori’s house, then calling Fred and Rich to see where to go for Saturday traditional dinner before heading to the casino. Before her own family, she grew up with three sisters and a brother. She was their rock, a great listener who always gave honest advice. When she began her own family, she brought her core values with her and lived by them proudly. Marie was truly one in a million. She loved the traditions of hospitality. Friends and family were always welcome in her home and food was invariably in abundance. Marie’s grandchildren were cherished gifts from God. Mema entertained their every wishes. She loved to sing and dance with them. At Christmas time they would sing Christmas Carols together, a memorable part of their family celebration. She drew such joy from them. Their Mema listened, and the conversations were so easy, and once again she gave the best advice to them as well. Mema was proud to be a grandmother and when her great-grandchildren came along, her happiness increased with each new arrival. Each child was a precious gift to her. Marie’s life was enriched by her unique relationship with them and how they could feel how much she loved them. Sundays were reserved and sacred time to spend with her four boys and their loves and whenever the grandchildren or great-grandchildren could attend, all knew that the event began at 12:00! All were welcomed to the open door of her hospitality of her Italian feast, (especially Frank’s chicken). The Christmas season at Marie and Fred’s home was magical. The table just seemed to grow in length, and she couldn’t have been happier. She was the Santa to the grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and nothing pleased her more to see them open the gifts she had so carefully selected. Marie was respected in the most genuine way by all she knew. Her boys were appreciative and felt honored and blessed by all who would ask “How’s your mom.” Marie was an avid bowler and skilled enough in the sport to become a league and tournament participant; she once rolled an impressive 299 game. Marie loved baseball and was an avid New York Yankees Fan. Marie and Fred, in their retirement years, purchased their Cocoa Beach home and enjoyed Florida winters for 14 years, enjoying golf and the numerous friends they made who became like family. Marie and Fred always found time to be at their children’s and grandchildren’s activities. From a young girl, she was taught to love the Lord and follow His ways. Marie continued throughout her life to be a devout and prayerful woman and she found peace at attending Mass. She never refused an opportunity to learn more about the life of Jesus. She had realized that the Lord sustained her in her times of need and for that she was extremely grateful. Her home parish was that of St. Anthony & St. Agnes Church. Whenever asked of her greatest achievements, she always spoke of the blessings she received from her four sons, daughters-in-law, 10 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Surviving are her sons and their loves, Fred J., III and Jill Grimaldi, David F. and Lori Grimaldi, Richard J. Sr. and Rosanne Grimaldi, and Frank T. Grimaldi, Sr. She will live on in the hearts of her grandchildren, Amanda N. and Cady Marosek, Corinda and Glenn Cox, Joie A. Grimaldi; Ashley and Tim McAleer, Alyssa Grimaldi; Richard J., Jr. and Ashley Grimaldi, Michael and Heather Grimaldi; Frank T., Jr. and Erica Grimaldi, Francesca and Adam Ryan, and Matthew Grimaldi and their mother Karen Seaver. She will be remembered by her great-grandchildren, Everett G. and Thatcher G. Bouthillier; Hudson, Kennedy, and Emmett Cox; McKenzie, and Joseph McAleer; Marco, and Isabella Grimaldi; Conor, and Maxwell Grimaldi; Ava R. Grimaldi; and twins Aubrey, and Parker Ryan. Marie leaves her memory to her sisters and in-laws, Jeanne and Thomas Zdanowicz, and Kathleen and Budd Osborn, and her sister-in-law, Donna Ferrese. She was preceded by her sister and brother-in-law, Rosemarie and Frank Percacciante; and her brother, Thomas Ferrese. She meant the world to her many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and her in-laws, Dennis and Carolyn Grimaldi, and JoAnne Grimaldi and the late Carmen R. Grimaldi. She was preceded by her sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Theresa and Dominick A. Viti, Jr., and Robert and Joanne Grimaldi. Because Marie was such a wonderful woman, she had the love and respect of so many friends, too numerous to mention. She was additionally preceded in death by her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Fred J., Sr. and Angeline (Pugliese) Grimaldi; and cousins and dear friends, Al and Dixie Grimaldi. The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Dr. Nicholas Qandah, neurosurgeon, and Dr. Juleen Qandah, emergency care physician, at Wynn Hospital. During this unexpected episode, the staff and associates of the ER were all kind, considerate and outstanding in their care of Marie and her family. A special note of appreciation to Father Tom Servatius for the prayers of anointing the sick and his friendship through this very difficult time. Marie was the source of her family’s traditions and the center of their lives. She will be forever missed everyday of their lives. Visitation will be on Tuesday, November 21, 2023 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave. Memorial contributions in Marie’s honor may be made for Autism to the Kelberman Center online at www.kelberman.org/donate; 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 Wednesday, November 22, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Anthony & St. Agnes Church, 422 Tilden Ave. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery alongside her beloved husband. The Lord Bless You and Keep You, Marie, Ma, Mema.

Mrs. Marie Concetta "Mema" (Ferrese) Grimaldi

June 3, 1933 - November 15, 2023