Mary Laura (Cinocca) Scarpitti, our Mamma, Grandma, Auntie, and friend who we thought would live forever, gently left her daughters' arms and climbed into her Savior's on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2016. She was 96 years old. Though barely five feet tall, Mary was larger than life, with a persistence and strength that few would have expected from a person so small. Born to Liberato and Vincenza Cinocca, on August 23, 1920, in Akron, OH, newborn Mary was just over two pounds. Tales are told about swaddling the infant in cotton, and laying her in a shoebox near the stove to warm the baby they were not sure would live through the night. She surprised everyone and did, marking the beginning of a life of surprises. Mary attended St. Martha's Catholic School where she would return years later as a "cafeteria lady," lovingly preparing homemade hot lunches for children there for over 30 years. During World War II, Mary rode the bus to the Goodyear Aircraft hangar, where she surprised herself and successfully trained to become a "Rosie the Riveter." She married Orland Scarpitti in 1947, and they raised two daughters, Anna Marie and Christine, in the same North Hill neighborhood and home in which Mary had been raised. Orland and Mary were active members of both the Carovillese and the Abruzzese Italian Societies, where Mary waitressed during "spaghetti nights" for over 25 years, becoming the friendly face that so many patrons returned to see week after week. Mary's own cooking was legendary. Orland liked everything that she made "as long as he had a piece of bread in his hand to go with it." From homemade noodles, pizza, meatballs, and sauce to specialty cookies, cakes, pizzelles, and wedding soup, Mary was at her best when she was feeding the people she loved. And oh how she loved people. That is her legacy – selfless love and a generous heart – and all of us will take it forward. Mary is preceded in death by her four-year-old sister, Jennie Cinocca; her best friend and sister, Olga Concetta McGurr (Ray, dec.); and her husband, Orland Joseph Scarpitti. Devoted, always-giving mother to Anna Marie Kelly (John) and Christine Bloomer (Tom); cherished, gentle grandmother to Lisa Bobich Hendershot (Brian), Mark Bloomer, Annmarie Kelly-Harbaugh (Ken), Mike Bloomer (Kim), Jennifer Kelly-Masloski (Scott), John J. Kelly (Rose), Nicholas Bloomer (Danyell), Kevin Kelly (Alexandria); and adoring great-grandmother to Brandon, Matthew, Katie, Gabrielle, Colton, Lizzie, Eden, Henry, Alexandra, and another soon-to-be-born baby girl. Mary was a treasured auntie to Roseann McGurr (Sandi), Mary Elizabeth Boyer (Bob, dec.), and Patricia Kennard (Butch). She leaves many nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless friends who have never known a world without Mary in it. And who will miss her dearly. The family would like to thank the staff at the Arbors of Fairlawn who so lovingly cared for our mom these past ten months, especially the warmhearted nurses and aides who formed a bond with this always kind and pleasant little Italian lady. Thank you also to the angels disguised as hospice professionals who provided quiet, life-enhancing TLC through Akron General's Visiting Nurse Service. Family will receive friends at Blessed Trinity Catholic Church (formerly St. Martha's) 300 E. Tallmadge Ave., Akron, OH 44310, on Saturday, Dec. 10, from 9:30 to - 11 a.m. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated immediately following at 11 a.m. at Blessed Trinity Church. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Blessed Trinity Food Pantry, or the parish Funeral Meal program (330-475-0321).