Marie Margaret Naccarato Martin, a beacon of strength and wisdom passed away on May 25, 2024, at Saint Francis Reflections in Titusville FL.
Born to the late Joseph & Carmella (Urilli) Naccarato, on September 10, 1939, in Monessen PA, Marie’s life was a tapestry of love, empathy and service.
A virtuoso pianist, Marie had a tough choice to make after high school in 1957: Study to become a performer at The Juilliard School in New York City, her mother’s dream for her, or marry & move with her husband, stationed with the Air Force in Topeka KS. She chose marriage and the four children she always dreamed of having. She never looked back.
In addition to raising her four children, Marie worked at various executive administrative positions, beginning with the Boy Scouts of America, Topeka KS in 1958 and ending with her last position at age 80 with Florida Lifestyle Realty in Cape Canaveral, FL. She also volunteered at numerous charitable organizations throughout her life.
She loved to dance all kinds of genres from clogging to two step/waltz and of course ‘fast’ dancing with her kids in the living room. She was an avid reader & card player, loved to bowl and at 84 still worked her crossword puzzles in ink.
She was google before Google was Google. With a mind like a steel trap and a scary good memory, she was everyone’s go-to for information of any kind. If she didn’t know the answer she would not stop her research until she found it.
She is survived by her children: Nick (Debbie) Savage of Monessen, PA, Robin Savage (Steve Angus) of Pittsburgh, PA, Mike Savage of Satellite Beach FL with whom she made her home, and Teressa (Phil) Ryan of Cocoa Beach FL. Her grandchildren: Nicole (Josh) Kerestesi of Upper St Clair, PA, Nina (Greg) Willoughby of Ocala FL, Brianna Savage of Greensburg, PA. Great Grandchildren: Chloe and Canaan Kerestesi of Upper St Clair, PA and Noah Willoughby of Ocala FL. She was preceded in death by her husband William ‘Bill’ Martin and her beloved cousin Marianne Procopio.
Forever in our hearts, she was a much loved Mum, Grandma and GG and will be greatly missed. To honor her memory we will always try to: walk a mile in another’s shoes before feeling sorry for ourselves, always cheer for the underdog, fight for what is right and always welcome people from all walks of life to our tables.