Marlies E. DiFante
April 16, 1934 ~ October 19, 2024
Greece: October 19, 2024. Marlies is predeceased by her husband, Mario Dominick DiFante; parents, John & Elizabeth Adams; brother, John Adams, & sister-in-law, Shirley Adams. She is survived by her children, Kathy DiFante, Tony DiFante, David (Gretchen) DiFante & Tom DiFante; grandchildren, Lauren (Gavyn) Davis, John, Nina (Jared) Robbins, Elena, Ava, Jordan Bellamy, Marlayna, Mitchell, Nicholas, & Gianna; great-grandchildren, Cambria Davis, Ella Davis, Jackson, & Waylon; brothers, Peter Adams & Joseph (Caroline) Adams; sister-in-law, June Yamamoto; many nieces & nephews, relatives in Germany, close friends, & her loving companion cat, Amelia.
Marlies’ life story will be shared during her visitation at the funeral home, 1411 Vintage Lane (Between 390 & Long Pond Rd.), Thursday, October 24th, 5-7 PM. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, 9:30 AM at St. Lawrence Church, 1000 N. Greece Rd. Immediately after, she will be laid to rest in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 in Marlies’ memory.
Marlies was born in Naples, New York, on April 16, 1934. In 1939, at just five years old, Marlies and her family traveled to Germany. Marlies had no idea what was intended to be a three-month stay would turn into World War II and a seven-year struggle to survive. Her family experienced unimaginable trauma and life-altering experiences that shaped the rest of their futures. In 1946, at age 12, Marlies and her family returned to the United States. She grew up in Naples, attended Naples High School, where she was a member of the varsity cheerleading squad, and graduated in 1953. After high school, she worked at Taylor Instruments in Rochester, NY, where she met the love of her life, Dominick DiFante. They eventually married and had four beautiful children. After raising her family, she returned to working at Taylor Instruments, where they welcomed her with open arms until the company eventually closed. Marlies immediately found employment at Xerox in Webster, NY, where she worked until her second grandchild was born. Choosing to watch him is what she called the best job ever.
Marlies and Dominick celebrated their love for 63 years until her incredible husband passed in 2020. Although this was a devastating loss, she always did her best to smile and stay close to her family and loved ones.
Marlies’ dedication to her family was unmeasurable. She loved her children and grandchildren more than life itself. She and Dominick attended every sporting or major event their grandchildren participated in. She loved day-to-day and was always available for a phone call or a visit from family and friends. Marlies could chat for hours and always brought joy (and solutions) to every situation her loved ones faced.
Marlies was a kind, loving, and servant-hearted woman. One example of her dedication to her Catholic faith was lovingly hand-making thousands of rosaries and sending them to missionaries worldwide. She was an active member of St. Lawrence Parish in Greece.
Marlies showed love in many creative ways, but most often, her sharing of food. She always had a home-cooked meal ready and was famous for her sauce, mashed potatoes, homemade pasta, and everyone’s favorite sliced apples. She never left home without her Salada tea or missed a day without a slice of rye bread and butter.
She was an avid storyteller, and in 2010, she chronicled her experience in Germany in a self-published novel titled Queen of the Bremen. Marlies, with her husband Dominick and other family members by her side, focused on sharing her story by giving presentations at middle schools, high schools, libraries, and book clubs around Monroe and surrounding counties.
She focused on sharing her story and speaking about God’s love, kindness, forgiveness, and redemption. Faith in God carried her through all aspects of her life.
Marlies, affectionately known as “Oma” by her grandchildren, will always be remembered for her remarkable wit, enduring laughter, and unwavering faith by receiving holy communion every week in church until the day of her passing. She will be truly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Mom (“Oma”), we will miss you forever. The world will never be the same without you, but we will always keep our family, traditions, and faith in God alive in your memory.
Services
Visitation:
Thursday, October 24, 2024
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Bartolomeo & Perotto Funeral Home, Inc.
1411 Vintage Lane
Rochester, NY 14626
Funeral Service:
Friday, October 25, 2024
9:30 am - 10:30 am
Interment:
Friday, October 25, 2024
11:00 am - 11:30 am
Holy Sepulchre Cemetery
2461 Lake Ave
Rochester, New York 14612