OSWEGO, NY – Maria L. Marturano, 87, a resident of 107 E. Cayuga St., passed away on Tuesday July 26, 2011, at Upstate Medical Center, Syracuse.
Born in Lipari, Italy, on the island of Sicily, she was the daughter of the late Giuseppi and Celestina Marochinni Lo Schiavo.
She moved to the United States in 1950, and settled in Oswego in 1952.
She received her education in Italy at the Santo Giuseppi Romano Alto Sculo, the Messina Legale Segretaria Sculo and also, the Naples Opera Sculo.
In Italy, when not working as a legal secretary for Milano Celestino, Maria performed as an opera singer in Sicily and the southern part of the Italian mainland.
After emigrating, she continued her opera career in New York State and Pennsylvania until her health no longer permitted it.
Along with her husband, she owned and operated A.M.R.S. farm and A.M.R.S. Real Estate Investment Firm.
Maria was an active member of Santo Giuseppi Romano Church in Lipari, Italy, and continued her services as a parishioners at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Oswego.
She was an active member of the Building Fund for the current church.
She was a member of St. Joseph’s Rosary Society and also St. Joseph’s Altar Society and enjoyed helping with the annual bazaar.
She was a member of the original Italian choir, supported the needy family work of the church and belonged to the Legion of Mary of St. Joseph’s Church.
She is survived by her daughter, Rita (Frank) Romeo of Picton, Australia; her son, Salvatore (Dorothy) Maturano of Oswego; three brothers, Victorio and Giuseppe Lo Schiavo of Lipari, Italy, and Bartolo Lo Schiavo of Australia; three sisters, Celestina Ambrolia and Edi Celluccio both of Lipari, Italy, and Yolanda Rantieri of Siracusa, Italy; nine grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild; as well as many nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her husband, Angelo Marturano Sr., in 1970; two sisters, Carmella and Mifardi Lo Schiavo; three brothers, Angelino, Giovanni and Assunto Lo Schiavo; a son, Benson Murray; and two great-grandchildren.
One of Maria’s proudest moments was on Nov. 28, 1972, when she became a citizen of the United States.
Funeral services will be held on Monday at 2 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Church.
Burial will be in St. Paul’s Cemetery at the convenience of the family.
Friends may call at the Dowdle Funeral Home on Saturday and Sunday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.
missing or outdated ad config
My deepest sympathy to Maria family. She was a wonderful lady. I remember her at Christmas time you wouldn’t beleave all the different kinds of cookie’s and etc she made. She will be missed and i have never forgotten her and i will never forget Maria.