Mary (Morice) Gianotti

UTICA - On Thursday, February 1, 2018 Mary (Morice) Gianotti, a beautiful and beloved woman, passed away peacefully from this life at the Sitrin Health Care Center with her loving family by her side. She was 102 years old. She was born Maria Morici, April 23, 1915 in Partana Mondello, Sicily to Gaetano and Francesca (Fontana) Morici, the fifth of six children. Mary came to the United States with her family in 1920, attended St. Mary of Mount Carmel School, and graduated with honors from Utica Free Academy in 1934. Mary worked in the business offices of Neisner’s and Berger’s Department Stores. Later, she earned a Civil Service appointment with Oneida County Family Court, and advanced to Senior Account Clerk until her retirement in 1978. She was a conscientious and capable worker and enjoyed her career very much. She married her beloved Vincent A. Gianotti at St. Mary of Mount Carmel Church on September 1, 1941, a blessed union of over 67 years until his passing on January 18, 2009. They were partners in a marriage based on love, trust, and respect. Their main focus was always on their family. Mary was very loving, kind, gentle and sweet, as well as intelligent, independent, strong, and energetic. She was proud and grateful to live independently in her own home until she was 98 and also to have her family and friends celebrate her 100th birthday with a festive gathering. She was very close to her daughters Edith and Francine and enjoyed spending time with them. She was also blessed to have two wonderful sons-in-law. Mary cherished her grandchildren and great grandchildren and enjoyed being a part of their lives. She was very generous to all of them. Mary was a very spiritual, prayerful woman with a special devotion to the Blessed Mother. She was always kind and looked for the best in everyone. She was a meticulous housekeeper and an excellent cook who prepared many delectable foods which the whole family enjoyed. She was also a good baker, and made wonderful Christmas cookies and a scrumptious lemon sponge cake. Mary and Vincent enjoyed doing some traveling with family and friends. They were privileged to go with some of her siblings on a tour of Italy which included a week at the home where Mary was born in Sicily. She had an eye for fashion and loved pretty clothes. She loved shopping and part of the fun was getting a good bargain! Mary was also the family historian and record keeper. She collected, and organized into albums hundreds of family photos over the years. She liked to go for walks around the MVCC track, play Bocce, bowl with her Beckwith Place neighbors, and play pinochle and other card games with family and friends. She hosted many family picnics in her backyard and in her summer room in the garage. She solved word puzzles every morning because she said she thought it would help to keep her mind sharp. Mary was a member of the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA), the former East Side Senior Center, the former St. Agnes Church, and presently St. Mary of Mount Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Parish. Mary is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Edith and Ted A. Camesano, and Francine and Donald J. Lazzaro; her grandchildren, Lisa Camesano and Dr. John Byers, Beth and James Hua; Donald J. Lazzaro, Jr. and Kinga Kobialka, and Marianne and Jonathan Grandusky; and her great grandchildren, John Ryan, and Andrew Byers; Alex, Alan, and Zoe Hua; Sofia, Gianna, and Justin Lazzaro; and Jonathan and Julia Grandusky. She also leaves her nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews, all of whom respected and loved their aunt; and her cousins and friends. She was predeceased by her sisters and brothers-in-law, Fannie and Roger Fontana, Anna and Ted C. Camesano; brothers and sisters-in-law, Salvatore and Deva Morice, Charles and Margaret Morice and his second wife Madeline Morice, and Michael and Marie Morice; and her in-laws, Lucy and Patrick Fiore, Antoinette and Harry Massaro, Carmen and Filippa Gianotti, and Russell and Rose Gianotti. The family would like to offer their heartfelt thanks to the staff of Chestnut House, especially Shannon, Rachael, Shelley, Stephanie, Rae Ann, and Dorothy for the kindness and loving care shown to Mary. Visitation will be held Tuesday from 5:00-7:00 at the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave. Mary’s funeral service and Celebration of Life will commence on Wednesday morning at 10:00 from the funeral home and at 11:00 at St. Mary of Mt. Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Parish where her Mass of Christian Burial will be offered by Fr. Abe Esper. Entombment will take place in Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Mary’s honor may be directed to the St. Mary of Mt. Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Parish Memorial Fund or the American Diabetes Association online at http://www.diabetes.org; envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

Mary (Morice) Gianotti

April 23, 1915 - February 1, 2018