Marie Dimaio Noto

I, Marie Therese Dimaio Noto, am writing the beginning of my own obituary because I want it to be a tribute to my beloved husband, the late Anthony Vincent Noto, and our only child, our son, Michael Wayne Noto. Anthony passed away on June 30th, 2015 and I never actually recovered from his death. Anthony was the love of my life, the only man I ever loved and actually the only man I ever kissed. We had a wonderful marriage. When he passed away, we had been married 66 years, 2 months and 11 days. We met when were 9 years old, and from that day forward Anthony asked every adult he saw if they knew me, and if they said “yes”, he said he was going to marry me. When I was 18 and he was 19, we were married. We were only 5 months apart, but I had not yet had my birthday. I never dated another man, nor did I ever want to. We were so very, very much in love with each other and did almost everything together. We loved to dance, especially to the music of Michael’s band Stormy. I don’t know who has continued to miss Anthony and continue to grieve more over his loss, our son Michael, or me. Michael has always been our pride and joy. He has always been an ideal son and wonderful caregiver to his Dad during his many years of illnesses and also to me and has continued to be the most wonderful son and caregiver to me. Michael, I thank you from the very bottom of my heart for your loving, kindness, care and devotion to your Dad and me. I also thank your wife Susan for her kindness.

It is with heavy hearts that Michael Wayne Noto and his wife, Susan Andermann Noto, share the news that his beloved mother, Marie Therese Dimaio Noto, passed away on Christmas night, Wednesday, December 25th. She was 94 years old. A native and resident of Baton Rouge, Marie was the first child and only daughter born to the late Michael D. and Mary Marino Dimaio. She was born on August 12, 1930.

Others left to cherish her memory are her sister-in-law Eddie Parsons Dimaio, wife of her only brother Nickie C. Dimaio who is deceased, and their family: Nickie C. Dimaio, II, his son Colton Michael Dimaio (Laurielle), children Blaze & Knox, daughter Jenna Babin, granddaughter Ainsley Rushing, and Darron Dimaio (Marie & Anthony’s Godchild), his wife Janese Cowart Dimaio, and their daughters Kaleigh Dimaio & her fiance’ Nicholas Danos, his son Houston, and Dara Dimaio. Marie’s other Godchildren are Charles J. Noto, Sr., JoAnn L. Lappin, Nettie N. McIntosh, Joanne C. Robeau, and Audrey M. Monlexun. Susan Noto’s children, Kandis Furrate (Dave Thompson) & Layne Furrate, nieces Rae Guarino (Van/deceased), Bertha Mancuso (Larry), Mary Ann Long (Johnny/deceased) and all other nieces and nephews. Very special sister/friend Elizabeth B. Phillips & Phyllis Brister. Marie, Michael & Susan’s special thanks to family members and friends too many to mention for all of their prayers, love and care. Marie was an honor graduate of the 1943 Class of Sacred Heart Catholic School. The first class to graduate in the present Sacred Heart Church. When the cornerstone was laid for the Church, Marie was the female chosen from the 5th Grade to put memorabilia in the corner stone. Marie graduated Salutatorian of the 1947 class of St. Joseph’s Academy. Although she was offered various scholarships to Catholic Universities and also to LSU, she declined and attended Baton Rouge Business College for seven months and was hired by the telephone company (Southern Bell) into a clerical position and was the first female of American Italian descent to be hired in the telephone company in Baton Rouge. This was in 1947. Marie was 17 years old and remained with the telephone company until she retired in a Management position as Employment Supervisor in 1983. She worked there for approximately 35 years and never worked with any other company. She is a life member of the Telephone Pioneers. Except, after retirement, she would sometimes volunteer help in her son Michael’s music store. Marie & Anthony were members of many civic and social clubs. In 1974, she was voted “Lady of the Year” of the National Federation of Men’s Clubs Ladies Auxiliary (Now Progressive Men’s Clubs) at a convention in Alexandria, LA. She held the title of President several times. She was a charter member of Te’ Dansant, a ladies club in Baton Rouge. She was President several times and held other offices. She is presently a member of the Baton Rouge American Italian Association and is also affiliated with the Grandsons of Italy who prepare the annual St. Joseph’s Altar in Baton Rouge.

In addition to being preceded in death by her beloved husband, Marie was preceded in death by her parents, Michael D. & Mary Marino Dimaio, who were the best parents in the world, and her husband’s parents, Joe & Artina Marchiafava Noto, his brothers Henry (Mary), Charles “Chic” (Doris). His sisters Tina M. Feig, Marie N. Culmone, and Virginia N. Terito. Marie has been the oldest living person in the Baton Rouge Dimaio family for many years. The family of her paternal grandparents, the late Nicolo & Mary Deliberto Dimaio, who were the parents of five children, the late Nettie D. Vucci, Mary D. Montagnino, Josephine D. Lombardo, Joseph P. Dimaio and Michael D. Dimaio, Marie’s Dad, who was the youngest child. She was described by some of her younger cousins and other family members as the Matriarch of their family.

Pallbearers: Darron Dimaio, Nickie C. Dimaio II, Colton Dimaio, Anthony G. Noto, Henry Guarino & Larry Mancuso.

Honorary Pallbearers: Charles J. Noto, Sr., Michael McIntosh, Mark Lappin, Layne Furrate, Russel “Butch” Lombardo & Sammy Marino, Jr.

Placing the Pall: Michael & Susan Noto, Eddie Dimaio, Charles & Delores Noto.

Gift Bearers: JoAnn Lappin, Nettie McIntosh, Joanne Robeau & Janet Phillips.

Lectures: Kaleigh & Dara Dimaio

Eulogies will be given by her sister-in-law Eddie Dimaio and her very best friend of many years, Elizabeth B. Phillips.

Eucharistic minister: Johnny Culmone

Rosary: Deacon Joseph Scimeca

Vocalist: Paul Shelton

Special thanks to Joni Muscarello Leggio & Toni Muscarello for the beautiful prayer cards. As well as all present and past members of “Stormy The Band”, Dr. Gerald Barber, Dr. Ross Denicola, Dr. Charles Bergeron, Dr. John Meek, Dr. Victor Oliver, Dr. Joe Acosta, & Dr. Jim Sim.

A visitation will be held Thursday, January 2 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Rabenhorst Funeral Home & Crematory East, 11000 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70815. A visitation will occur Friday, January 3rd from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 11441 Goodwood Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70815. A mass of Christian burial will occur Friday, January 3rd at 11:00 AM at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 11441 Goodwood Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70815. A burial will occur at Greenoaks Memorial Park, 9595 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70815.