Ancilla (Scaia) Maestri, 96, of Solvay and Inlet, passed away February 1, 2012 in the comfort of her home after a courageous 3.5 year battle with liver lymphoma, with her two children (also her caregivers) at her side.She was less than two months shy of reaching her 97th birthday. Born to Pietro and Carolina (Grandi) Scaia in the Tyrol, in 1937, she married Maurizio Maestri—a union which lasted 63 years—and emigrated to Solvay in 1938.
Besides being a busy housewife and mother, she worked for six years at Camillus Cutlery and was employed by Syracuse University for 15 years.
She was a communicant of St. Cecilia Church for 74 years and a loyal member of the Solvay Tyrol Club Ladies Auxiliary for over 60 years.
She loved the Adirondacks, which reminded her so much of her native Tyrol and for 43 years was a seasonal resident of the town of Inlet.
She was predeceased by her husband, Maurizio “Morris” Maestri, in 2000; her ward Remo Salvagni, in 1980; and four sisters, Pierina Bazzoli, Richetta Cappella, Elvira Scaia and Teresa Balduzzi.
She is survived by a daughter, Caroline, and son, John M. Maestri, both of Solvay; a sister, Regina (Mario) Franceschetti; two sisters-in-law, Natalina and Emma Maestri, all of the Tyrol; godchildren, Chiara Beltrami, Maurizio Maestri and Michele Bazzoli, all of the Tyrol and Richard Ghezzi, Jr. of Marcellus and 23 nieces and nephews and numerous great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins and good friends.
Her family would like to thank Hospice of CNY for their outstanding care and heartfelt compassion—in particular Mary Ann Duprey, Marian Clark and Bernadette Snyder, and also, caregiver Cindo Rioux of Westvale.
A funeral mass was held February 6 at St. Cecilia Church. Contributions may be made to St. Cecilia’s Food Pantry, 1001 Woods Road, Solvay, NY 13209.
Condolences may be offered at: www.bagozzitwins.com.
