Marie J. Mariano's Obituary
Marie J. Mariano, 82, passed away peacefully into the arms of her Savior Jesus with her family at her side on Thursday January 20th, 2022.
Originally from Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, New York, she moved down to the Sunshine State in 1996. Marie was a woman ahead of her time in all aspects. She was a true champion in her lifelong fight for women’s rights. In 1973 she became the President of the Staten Island chapter of N.O.W. (The National Organization for Women). She held strong to her beliefs and support of women and their capabilities, and this shaped her children’s choices and helped them to become the people they are today.
Marie was a very talented actress, having studied at HB Studio drama school in New York City. She performed off Broadway in Manhattan and at other local community theatres. She was extremely talented at everything she set her mind to. She had a true eagerness for knowledge and had a keen mind. She was constantly reading, especially about history and art, and had a seemingly endless capacity to retain and convey everything she knew.
In addition to her many creative capabilities, Marie was a family woman through and through. She loved to cook and was considered a phenomenal gourmet cook by all who knew her. She had an innate knack for decorating, and when you walked into her home, you would have thought she was a professional decorator and had attended the college of Interior Design; yet her Florida home was beautifully designed all from thrift store finds. She was always impeccably dressed and groomed, having a flair for fashion and makeup, yet did not shop in designer stores.
Marie was preceded in passing by her husband of 32 years, Joseph F. Mariano; her parents Frank and Josephine “Babe” Castiglia; and her great-nephew Maxximillian Fernandez.
She leaves behind to cherish her memory her children Irina Mariano-Brown (Daniel), Ariane Mariano (Paul Santacroce), and Christian Mariano (Debbie); grandchildren GiannaMarie Elizabeth Mariano, Jessica Lynn and Lisa Maria Santacroce; her great granddaughter Finley Hale; her sisters Nanette LoPriore and Francine Castiglia, and her niece Dori LoPriore.
Funeral services have been entrusted to the care of Fort Myers Memorial Gardens funeral home and will be private.
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