Marie Cacioppo was born as Minnie Paladino on July 31st, 1918 to Joseph and Angeline Paladino, legal immigrants from Sicily to the United States. They settled in the old Italian section in northeast Kansas City, Missouri in approximately 1910. Marie graduated from Manual Training High School in 1934.
In 1939, then Minnie Paladino married Paul Cacioppo, whose family also immigrated legally from Sicily around 1910. Marie and Paul had three children, Paul Phillip Cacioppo, now deceased, Patricia Elaine Cacioppo and Michael Joseph Cacioppo.
Minnie was married to Paul for 28 years, until he died in 1966. He was a co-owner of the successful Atlas Excavating Company that did the excavation work for the Truman Library and the Ranch Mart Shopping Center.
During the late 1960s, Minnie changed from being a wonderful housewife and homemaker, to being the second female real estate agent in Johnson County, Kansas, a week after her friend became the first female agent. During Marie’s successful career, she was a member of the Million Dollar Sales Club and the Two Million Dollar Sales Club for the John Moffitt Company.
In 1970, after tiring of being called Minnie Mouse, Minnie Cacioppo legally changed her name to Marie Cacioppo.
After being a widow for 20 years, she married a wonderful man, Leo Mangels, who worked for the Bendix Corporation, in 1986. He passed away in 1996.
Marie had many friends. She was the President of the Linwood Garden Club, and the best gardener in the Cherry Hills subdivision in Overland Park, Kansas. Her plantings of beautiful flowers and now-giant trees were well appreciated.
Marie was the world’s best mother and a fabulous Italian cook, once running a catering service with a business card that said, “In business by demand!”
Marie had four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Her grandchildren are Chris Cacioppo, David Cacioppo, Michael Cacioppo, Jr. and Toni Marie Cacioppo.
Marie passed away on Saturday, December 8th, 2018 in Overland Park, Kansas. She was 100 years young.
Her memorial service is at 1pm sharp on Wednesday, December 12th, 2018, at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home at 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri. Burial is at Mount Moriah Cemetery, immediately after the service.
