Marie J. Vacca

Marie J. (Ciociolo) Vacca, 89 of Worcester, formerly of Sterling, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, June 28, 2011 at St. Vincent's Hospital with her loving family by her side. Marie was born in Worcester on September 14, 1921, a daughter of the late Antonio and Antoinette (DiVerdi) Ciociolo. Marie was predeceased by her husband, Chester B. Marek who passed away in 1977 and husband, Dominic M. Vacca who passed away in 2009. She is survived by two daughters, Paulette C. Magaw and her husband Clyde of Princeton and Cynthia M. Mazzola of Shelburne Falls; two step-sons, Michael L. Vacca of Worcester and Richard M. Vacca of Lowell; a step-daughter, Maria Elena Gregarczyk of Worcester; three brothers, Rocco Ciociolo of Sterling, Michael Ciociolo of California and George Ciociolo of Jefferson; two sisters, Rose Sands of Worcester and Virginia Henderson of Shrewsbury; five grandchildren, Chester B. Marek, III, Angela Marek, Lyndsay, Craig and Chad Mazzola; and two great grandchildren. Marie came from a large Italian family and also leaves many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles. She is predeceased by her son, Chester B. Marek, II; three brothers, Louis, Antonio "Tony" and Matthew Ciociolo; and a sister, Isabella Leno. She grew up in Worcester where she graduated from David Hale Fanning Trade School. She was a talented and gifted artist and was offered a four year scholarship to the New York School of Art. Marie was a designer of clothing and hats working with the Roberta Hats Company as a Milliner. She was an accomplished portrait artist and at a very young age was known for her drawings of the famous Vargas Girls. Marie was also a skilled seamstress who could create the design in her mind and sew dresses without a pattern. Marie was a longtime active member of the Worcester Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses and a member of the Women and Health Initiatives being a two-time survivor of breast cancer. She loved the opera and was a member of the Opera Club; she enjoyed traveling, especially to Italy, playing cards and gardening with her favorite flower being red roses. She loved cooking and being with friends and family. The funeral for Marie will be held on Tuesday, July 5, 2011 from the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St, Worcester with a service at 12 noon in the funeral home. Burial will follow in Hillside Cemetery, Sterling. Friends and relatives are invited to visit with the family on Tuesday, July 5th from 10 a.m. to 12 noon prior to the service. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made in her memory to: American Breast Cancer Foundation, 1220B East Joppa Road, Suite #332, Baltimore, MD. 21286