Obituary of Margaret Catherine Minotti

Age 95, passed away on December 10, 2020 at Arnot Ogden Hospital. Margie was born in Elmira, New York on April 20, 1925, daughter to the late Alexander and Lena (Giofrida) Stefani. She was predeceased by her husband, Anthony L. Minotti on March 6, 2010; son, Anthony Gerard Minotti; brother, John Stefani and sister-in-law Esther Stefani; sisters, Rose (Stefani) Cieri, and brother-in-law Nicholas Cieri; Julia (Stefani) Paulman and brother-in-law George Paulman. She is survived by her children, Dr. Thomas A. (Kathleen) Minotti, Raymond A. (Diana) Minotti and Mary M. (Dana) Bunnell; grandchildren, Matthew and Ryan Minotti, Lisa and Mark Minotti and Stefanie and Juliana Bunnell; many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. Margie was also fortunate to have two very close friends, Mary Ginardi and Winnie Lyon, each of whom remained close to her throughout her life. After excelling in her high school class at Elmira Free Academy and graduating 13th among hundreds, Margie took several positions as an administrative assistant to manufacturing businesses in Chemung County. She eventually took a job with the Elmira City School District where she went on to a 30 plus year career as administrative assistant to Directors of Music, Art and Business. After retirement she went back to be the administrative assistant to the Superintendent of Elmira City Schools for another five years. Margie was known as the grammar specialist at the Board of Education, editing most of the documents that left that office building throughout her tenure. Besides being an aficionado with grammar, she was also proficient in writing poetry which the family eventually published into a book. No matter what the occasion was, Margie always wrote a poem to celebrate an event or mark an occasion. Besides working a full-time career, Margie was a dedicated mother, grandmother and aunt to her many nieces and nephews. Although there were many great cooks in the family, most of them took their lead from Margie's recipes of traditional Italian cooking that were handed down from her mother Lena. She also was a baking machine and loved to celebrate each holiday or birthday with special dinners and baked goods. Margie's dedication to her family came first and no one went without. Often, she would go without in order for her children to have what they needed. She never missed any of her grandchildren's important moments and showed them the greatest possible love. She also helped to care for her grandchildren by being their full-time babysitter during their childhood. Following retirement, Margie became an avid traveler and especially loved visiting the islands of the Caribbean, Walt Disney World, Ocean City, NJ and New York City with her children and grandchildren. She sang in her church choir for decades and loved to play the Wurlitzer organ that nearly took up an entire wall of her living room. Although Margie was blessed to have an angel named Heather provide her with loving care in her home, her condition eventually required her to be placed in Elcor Skilled Nursing Facility. Most days her children and grandchildren visited and were by her side until all family visits were stopped due to Covid. A special prayer of thanks and gratitude to her devoted niece, Patti Hinman, who visited her often at Elcor to provide love and company, and care for her personal needs. Although it has been painful to not be by her side, we know her faith helped her through these difficult times. The family would like to thank and send prayers to each worker at Elcor who helped our mom over the past several years, especially Laura in Hickory Knoll North. Also, the family appreciates the professional and compassionate care she received at the end of her life at Arnot Ogden's ICU by Dr. Gonzalez, Dr. Lee, Dr. Clare and Dr. Kaffenbarger as well as the amazing heroic Arnot nursing staff that tried to help her fight off this difficult COVID virus. Most importantly, Margie was a devoted Catholic who believed deeply in her faith and brought that faith to her entire family throughout her life. Margie was a long-time communicant of St. Anthony's Church and the Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish. A private Mass of Christian Burial will be held for her at St. Patrick's Church with McInerny Funeral Home providing arrangements. Those wishing to make a donation in Margie's name can do so to the Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish, 1010 Davis Street, Elmira NY 14901.