Clara Marie Marotta

DELMAR – Clara Marie (Ciancio) Marotta, 94, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, November 16, 2015 after a long illness. Born in Rome, NY on June 1, 1921, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Mary Ciancio. While working her first job at Goldberg's Jewelry Store, she met her future husband, James Vincent Marotta. They were married in 1945 upon his return from the war and had two children, Rosemary and Joseph Frank. In the Albany area, Clara worked for Millers Jewelry, Pearl Ingram millinery shop and M. Solomon Furs. She was an excellent Italian cook and loved cooking for neighborhood parties in Delmar and family gatherings. Her Italian Christmas cookies were a December project each year. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her son, Joseph Frank Marotta in 1972 and her husband, Col. James Vincent Marotta in 1998. Survivors include her daughter, Rosemary Lalime; her sister, Virginia Ciancio; grandchildren, Juliette Cedar Wang (Peter), Crystal Lalime Orrico (Philippe) and Kasey Drayton (Adam); great grandchildren, Matthew, Kaylyn and Mitchell Wang, Amelie and Talia Orrico and Anna and Claire Drayton; brother and sister in laws, Anthony and Jean Marotta, George and Jean Marotta; several nephews, nieces and grand nephews and nieces; and her longtime caregiver, Joy Arrabito. Relatives and friends are invited to call on Saturday, Nov. 21st from 8 to 8:30 am at the Applebee Funeral Home, 403 Kenwood Ave, Delmar. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 9 am Saturday at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 35 Adams Pl., Delmar. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery, Albany. Memorial contributions may be made to Community Hospice of Albany, 445 New Karner Rd., Albany, NY 12205.