Marion Elizabeth (Centofanti) Picarelli

On April 7, 2020 Marion Elizabeth Picarelli died peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family.  Marion was born in Tarrytown, NY on July 30, 1936 to John and Mary Centofanti. She graduated from Washington Irving High School after achieving many honors, including playing first trumpet in the band and becoming captain of her cheerleading squad. However, her greatest achievement, and he would agree, is meeting and then marrying her high school sweetheart, Bob Picarelli, in 1959. Marion and Bob were fortunate to have been married for 60 years, experiencing life to the fullest. They had dozens of close friends who will forever describe Marion as being the consummate Lady. She was good at so many things, but to those who knew her, her cooking and her amazing ability to listen were her greatest skills. She was always willing to provide council for those who just had to ask, and she would then lend them her ear and her time. Her time with her family and friends, in their second home on Cape Cod, was also one of her greatest loves. Her other loves were her four children and their spouses, who were always considered a part of the family. Robert and Rita Picarelli, Ralph (deceased) and Deborah Picarelli, Mary and Scott Mossop, and Joanne and Daniel Kombert.  Marion or Mema, as she was known to them, will be greatly missed and forever loved by her eight grandchildren:  Robert Picarelli, Kurt Picarelli, Christina Picarelli, Elizabeth Mossop, Nathaniel Picarelli-Kombert, Matthew Picarelli-Kombert, Noah Picarelli-Kombert, and Daniel Picarelli-Kombert.  

Marion was an Executive with IBM, where she provided support and council to so many that she was known as their Mother Teresa. She was also active in many charitable activities and organizations.  She taught religious instruction at St. Augustine Church in Ossining, NY and will forever be remembered by her students for her dedication to them. Marion was active in the school PTA. She also coordinated fundraising and educational programs for the American Cancer Society, volunteered with the Dominican Sisters, and taught senior computer literacy for the Village of Ossining.  Marion was a phenomenal cook, and compiled a compendium of favorite family recipes which will forever be provided to subsequent generations of her family, so that her memory will live on in their hearts as well as their stomachs. She also loved gardening, in which she excelled, and crocheting and needlework, which is in the homes of all of her children.

Marion and Bob shared every day together. They were truly inseparable. They provided one another with strength, companionship, friendship and of course, without any doubt, enormous love. She will be forever missed by her family, her many friends and any and all who knew her, if even just for a moment. 

A private interment will take place at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery.

LEACH & THOMAS FUNERAL HOME

45 S. Highland Ave

Ossining, New York 10562

914-941-0840

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