Carmella Mazzarella

Carmella Mazzarella
December 25, 1930 ~ February 28, 2014

February 28, 2014. Predeceased by her parents, Harry Fanny Leonardo; brothers-in-law sisters-in-law, Joseph Mary Catalano, Rose Anthony Alaimo, Angelo Mary Pegelli, Samuel Guzzetta, Donald Walker, Ross Mazzarella. Survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Frank; children, Joann (Jim) Thibault, Frank Jr. (Jennifer) Mazzarella, James (Claire) Mazzarella; grandchildren, Jeffrey Thibault, Frank III (Julie) Mazzarella, Sheena (Justin) Hamilton, Helena Mazzarella; great-grandchildren, Taylor, Payton, Avery, Hamilton, Frank IV, Louis Mazzarella; brother, Stephen (Gloria) Leonardo; sisters, Rose Marie (Michael) Amico, Dolores Blackman; sisters-in-law, Carmella Guzzetta, Fern Walker, Ann Mazzarella; several nieces, nephews, cousins, dear friends. Carmella was a homemaker who devoted her life to her husband and family. The family wishes to thank the staff of Highland Hospital especially West 5 for the loving care of Carmella.
Visitation will be Monday 3-7 PM at the funeral home, 1411 Vintage Lane (between 390 Long Pond Rd). Carmella's funeral mass will be celebrated on Tuesday at 10 AM at St. Lawrence Church,1000 N. Greece Rd., Rochester, NY 14626. Interment in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to School of the Holy Childhood, 100 Groton Pkwy, Rochester, NY 14623 in Carmella's memory.
On behalf of my Dad Frank, brothers Frank James, sisters-in-laws Jennifer Claire and the family, we want to thank you for coming to Carm's celebration of life mass. Some of you have visited her at Highland Hospital over the last few weeks. It has been wonderful listening to your stories of how she touched your life. in looking around, its apparent that she was loved by all who knew her.We were blessed to have had the best wife, mother and role model with us for 83 years. Carm was born on Christmas Day. That tells us how special she was to share a birthday with the Lord.She grew up during hard times, the Depression. She would tell stories how her parents Harry Fanny would do their best to give her sisters and brother a good life.She would tell us the story of having to share a doll with her sister Rose Marie and being the second Mom to her sister Dolores and her brother Steve.Steve would drive her around the city. Even as a young adult she never liked to drive. Meeting Frank was the luckiest day of her life. He would then drive her to Hickock and around the city for the 60 1/2 years. They courted for 3 years and married in 1953. Frank and Carm were the perfect couple and were so devoted to each other. You don't find many marriages that make 60 1/2 years and enjoy their life together. She was a great wife and mom to us.She worked as a bookkeeper at Tent City and would speak often of the fond memories she had of the owners and the co-workers.
When Dad retired, it worked out well for all of us. He started cooking and took over the kitchen. Mom and I never liked to cook much. She would tell the story of us both talking one holiday ignoring the ham burning in the oven. She was very organized wanting everything in its place and ran a tight household. When my brother, Frank decided to start his business, Mom was his first choice to run the office. She did that for a few years and by that time my brother James decided to play football for the Vince Lombardi League. Carm Frank were a team, he as equipment manager and she was President of the League. She served as board member for many years, traveling as far as the Southern Tier for games. It was ok as long as Dad drove her.
Once Frank, James, and I married, she missed having kids in the house so she began babysitting. Again, Carm and Frank were a team. The kids loved going to the house on Medallion Drive. She enjoyed doing for others, volunteering and fundraising was important to her. For many years, she would fund raise with her childhood friend, Mary Nacca, for the March Of Dimes. Our families most memorable fundraiser was that of the Ronald McDonald House in 1975. She and our neighbor Barb Messuro turned the yards into a huge carnival raising $3000.
Her favorite past time was reading and knitting, She enjoyed knitting afghans, hats, and scarves for family and friends. She knitted an afghan for a fundraiser here at St. Lawrence for the building of the new church and it raised $400. The last 5 year,s she was so happy to knit with the ladies at the Jefferson Park Apartments, knitting hats, scarves for the church and school along with blankets for the babies and the animals at Lollypop Farm.
Family was very important to Carm who rarely missed the grandkids', Jeffrey, Frank III, Sheena Helen, sporting events. She was the beloved "GiGi" Carm to the great-grandkids, Taylor, Payton, Frank IV, Avery Louis, who were the newest joys of her life. We will miss her and know she is watching over the her family and friends everyday giving love and strength she bravely demonstrated over the last few months. Carm will be remembered as the kindest and most giving person. Our tribute to her is to be that type of person. Rest in Peace. We love and miss you.