Marie Josephine Vitale

Born in New Haven, Connecticut to Giuseppina (Prete) and Charles Berardino, Marie attended secretarial school before meeting and marrying her beloved husband Tony in June of 1951. They moved to Florida in 1955.

Deeply spiritual, Marie was a pillar of their church, St. Mary’s Cathedral in Miami. Installed by the Archbishop in 1978 as an “extraordinary minister”, she became one of the first lay Catholics in South Florida, and the first woman, to administer the Sacrament of Communion. As a hospice volunteer, Marie spent countless hours visiting with the sick and the elderly. She volunteered as a reading assistant at St. Mary’s School, taught adult formation classes, and coordinated bible studies at their home. Once in Louisville, she continued with home and church small group bible studies at Holy Trinity Catholic Church. Prayer was the cornerstone of her life.

An exemplary mother, Marie was fundamentally dedicated and devoted to her family. She was a phenomenal cook. Family and friends shared many, many hours of fellowship throughout the years over extravagant Italian meals.

She played tennis and the piano, although both hobbies were left behind when she moved to Kentucky at age 60, drawn by the magnet of her grandchildren, whom she adored.

She learned to play the autoharp to join her husband, who played the guitar, and together they enjoyed many years of friendship, camaraderie, and music first during summers in Elkins, West Virginia immersing themselves in Appalachian folk music and then in Louisville with the Dulcimer Society.

She and Tony were married 71 years prior to his passing away in 2022.

Marie was also predeceased by her brother, Carmine, and is survived by her children Gary (Melodie) Vitale, Rick (Dena) Vitale, and Patti (Jay) Beagle; grandchildren David Vitale (Liz), Emily Dixon (Ben), Rebecca Vitale (Stephen Feagin), Mark Vitale (Tara), and Jenna Beagle; great-grandchildren Caroline (deceased), Sam, Hayden, Fiona, Serge, Hazel, and great-grandchild number seven expected March 5th. She will be deeply missed, but her legacy – her values, her faith, her love – will carry on.

A Funeral Mass for Marie will be held on Saturday March 1, 2025 11am at Holy Trinity Catholic Church 501 Cherrywood Rd. Louisville, KY 40207 with visitation prior from 9am-11am. Burial will take place following mass at Cave Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Marian Center School and Services in Miami Gardens, Florida (www.mariancenterschool.org) or 15701 NW 37th Ave, Miami Gardens, FL 33054. Please visit www.archlheadywestport.com to leave a condolence for the family.