Mary was born in Tampa to Carmen Diaz Ficcio and John Ficcio on March 7, 1930. She went to school at Sacred Heart Academy. She then attended the University of Tampa where she received her degree in education. She married Sandalio Arce on July 17, 1954, in Tampa. He was the love of her life, and they celebrated 47 beautiful years of marriage. Mary was a math and science teacher and taught for many years at Plant High School, Memorial Junior High, and Middleton Junior High, touching the lives of many students whom she spoke of often and remembered her well. She enjoyed social events and was very involved in Pan American University Women, Las Damas, and the OWLS, to name a few. Mary was a devout Catholic. She prayed the Rosary daily, no matter where she was, and her faith was her guiding light.
Mary is preceded in death by her loving husband, Sandalio Arce, and her brother, Valentino P. Ficcio.
Mary is survived by her daughters Martha Marshall (John) and Elaine Zambito (John); grandchildren John Marshall III (Colleen), Maureen Devine (Jeremy), Brian Marshall (Nicole), Maria Zambito, and John Zambito Jr.; and great-grandchildren Nathan Devine, Lily Marshall, Ethan Devine, and John Marshall, IV.
Pallbearers will be John Marshall, Jr., John Zambito, John Marshall III, Brian Marshall, John Zambito, Jr., and Jeremy Devine.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 am on Wednesday, July 16th at St. Mary Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Garden of Memories Cemetery. Arrangements are by Blount and Curry Funeral Home at Garden of Memories.
