Saratoga Springs, NY- Mary Marsicano passed away suddenly at her home February 20, 2012.
Born May 22, 1938, in Troy, Mary was the daughter of Benjamin Marsicano and Elizabeth Loeffler. She married James Catalfimo in 1957 and moved to Greenwich, New York, where she and Jim raised three children, Michael, David and Kimberly.
In 1976, Mary returned to school, earning a bachelor’s degree in theater from Skidmore College and a master’s degree in fine arts from Bennington College. She then embarked on a long and rewarding career in the arts, which included work on Broadway as a star dresser for Linda Lavin, Valerie Harper, Rhea Perlman, George C. Scott, Tommy Tune, Glynis Johns, and other celebrity actors; in television as the costume coordinator for the 34th, 36th and 39th Annual Grammy Awards television shows, the CBS Morning News and the TV news magazine, Day and Date; in the classroom as an adjunct professor of theater at New York University and Kingsborough Community College; and in dozens of regional, summer stock, community and children’s theatre productions as an actress, costume designer and wardrobe supervisor.
In 2004, Mary relocated from Manhattan to Saratoga Springs to be closer to her family. Embracing her new home, she soon began a second career in politics and community service. She was elected to the Executive Board of the Saratoga Springs Democratic Committee, worked as a volunteer for Senator Kirsten Gillibrand when she served in the House of Representatives for the 20th Congressional District, and served as a Constituent Services Representative for Congressman Scott Murphy when he succeeded to Senator Gillibrand’s seat in 2009. She also served on numerous civic committees and boards, including the Saratoga County Office for the Aging Advisory Council, Mayor Scott Johnson’s Advisory Committee on Senior Issues, the Citizens Transportation Committee of Saratoga County, and the Auction Committee of the Saratoga Economic Opportunity Council.
When not busy with politics and civic endeavors, Mary found time to garden (she was a member of the Katrina Trask Garden Club), play tennis, and author short stories, a novel, a screen play, and numerous poems (her poetry is published in “The Mirror Looks Back” and “On Wings of Words,” both found on Amazon.com).
Although Mary filled her days with work, politics, community service and hobbies, she was, above all else, a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and mother-in-law to her family. She gave selflessly of herself, offering sage advice, wise counsel, understanding, enthusiasm, energy, time, creativity, fantastic cooking, fantastical stories, compassion, support and unconditional love to her family whenever and wherever it was needed. In a way that was uniquely her own, she brought to these endeavors—and to all else that she did in life—a passion and enthusiasm for living, and for people, which is now forever woven into the fabric of her family.
Mary was cherished by countless friends and will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
Survivors include her children, Michael J. (Kristen Moy) Catalfimo, and David J. (Nicole Daniel) Catalfimo and Kimberly A. Catalfimo; twin sister, Jane (James) Smith; brother, Jerry Marsicano; grandchildren, Grace Ann Catalfimo, James Daniel Catalfimo, and Ella Robb Catalfimo; niece, Laura (Smith) Giraldez; nephew, Michael Smith; and her former spouse, James A. Catalfimo.
A private burial will take place in the family plot at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Troy, NY. A celebration of Mary’s life will be held the weekend of March 17-18, 2012. Arrangements are pending, and additional information can be obtained by contacting the Tunison Funeral Home, 105 Lake Ave., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Mary’s name to the Lake Avenue Drama Club, c/o Dr. Barbara Messier, 126 Lake Ave., Saratoga Springs, NY.
For online remembrances: www.tunisonfuneralhome.com.
