Antoinette "Ann" Scaturro

She is survived by her children: daughter, Joanne Scaturro of Raleigh, NC; her son and daughter-in-law, Lou Scaturro and Peggy Fleming of Ormond Beach, FL; daughter, Margaret Scaturro Heil, of Raleigh, NC; grandchildren: Siri Bird of New Orleans, LA; Micah Fleming of Ormond Beach, FL; Joseph Heil of Wichita, KS; and Andrew Heil and wife, Dana, of Durham, NC; great-grandchildren: Ronan and Shai Patel-Fleming of Ormond Beach, FL; and Rosalind Heil of Durham, NC; and many adored nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Joseph Scaturro; her father and mother, Donato and Carmella; sisters: Anne and Rose; brothers: Donny and Danny; grandson, Hamsun Lyon; and son-in-law, Tim Heil.

Ann was born at home in Bronx, NY, in 1925, to her father, an Italian immigrant from Bari, and her mother, an Italian American from New York. She grew up on a small farm in Queens NY, and from a young age, Ann helped her family to thrive by managing a street-side vegetable stand and caring for her little brothers. During her teenage years, she attended a vocational high school where she specialized in textiles - Ann, genuinely gregarious and kind, had many friends during this time. She often told stories about how she and her friends looked forward to taking the bus and subway to shop or attend movies and shows in Manhattan.

In the 1940s, Ann saw many of her friends off to war and she recounted how joyful it was when they returned home. During WWII, Ann served as a light warden in her neighborhood and sewed parachutes at a textile factory where she worked. After the war, she was introduced to a veteran and friend of the family, Joseph Scaturro (her "blue-eyed prince"), and they married on August 7, 1948. They enjoyed going to the beach with friends and dancing to the music of Big Bands. Ann and Joe started their family in NYC where Joanne and Louis were born - they happily shared this time living close to grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. They decided in the late 1950s to explore an employment opportunity for Joe and moved to California for a few years - Ann always smiled when talking about their life on the West Coast - what an adventure it was! Missing their families, Joe and Ann returned to New York State and settled in Utica, where their third child, Margaret, was born.

In 1964, Joe left industry to accept a position at Clarkson College located in a small town in Upstate NY (Potsdam) where he served as a Professor of Electrical Engineering. This was a disorienting time for Ann, living far from city life and familiar landscapes. Soon, however, Ann's friendliness and exuberant personality allowed her to create an unforgettable community of friends who quickly became Joe and Ann's extended family. Ann was known for her incredible cooking and was the "hostess with the mostess"! With Ann at the helm, she organized many events for Joe's students and college circle; and for more than two decades, Joe and Ann created an inviting gathering place in their home for beloved friends. Oh, the Holidays! Tending to every detail, Ann generously served spectacular meals that often went on for the entire day, accompanied by storytelling and the music of laughter.

When she was not creating wonderful meals for her family and friends, Ann volunteered at her church (St. Mary's) and served as the Chairperson of the BirthRight Organization in the Potsdam area (taking phone calls on the hotline located in her pantry!) for many years. She was also actively involved with the Faculty Wives and Garden/Antique Clubs. Ann's other favorite activity, beyond a shadow of a doubt, was playing the card game, bridge. Ann and Joe learned how to play bridge during their early years in Potsdam. They played bridge with many groups and couples for decades. Ann always claimed that playing bridge stimulated her mind, kept her social life with Joe exciting, and allowed her to nurture lifelong friendships. She played bridge throughout her life (in fact, she did so until she was 98).

When Joe retired in 1987, Ann and Joe moved to Florida to live close to their daughter, Joanne, and enjoy the southern warmth. They quickly became integrated into the community -- participating in church activities, playing bridge, and hosting gatherings. Soon their son, Lou, moved to Florida as well and married Peg - Ann and Joe enthusiastically welcomed a new daughter and granddaughter into their lives. Living in FL also allowed Joe and Ann to easily visit their grandchildren in NC, something they cherished enormously. After losing their son-in-law, Tim, Joe and Ann became even more instrumental in the lives of their grandsons, Joseph and Andrew - their combined loving energy and care could not be surpassed and will never be forgotten. Throughout their lives, Ann and Joe spent time with their grandchildren and families all over the country and Canada, in New York, Pennsylvania, Florida, Massachusetts, Texas, California, and Montreal.

After Joe's passing in 2013, Ann eventually moved with Joanne to Raleigh NC where she made her final home. Ann and Joanne created a beautiful space together and hosted many gatherings, filled with fabulous flowers, wonderful food, unending spirit, and heartfelt love. Ann became a parishioner at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church and faithfully attended mass for many years, she continued to play bridge, she read the News & Observer cover-to-cover every day, she enjoyed Hallmark Movies and HGTV, and she fostered deeper relationships with her children’s friends and families. Joanne and Ann often traveled to Asheville where Ann excitedly played the slot machines in Cherokee, visited with friends in the area, and shopped for antiques. When asked about her secret to longevity, Ann's jovial answer for many years was "luck"! As her life continued, however, she thoughtfully attributed it to good sleep and the lifelong love of friends and family; Ann especially felt privileged and renewed while participating in the lives of her great-grandchildren, Ronan, Shai, and Rozzie. Ann was always the central figure of family gatherings at the home of her daughter, Margaret, and joyfully participated in the preparation of those events. In the Spring of 2023, Ann shared a vacation with family at the Outer Banks, NC where she spent time at the shore, walked the trail at Jockey's Ridge, and helped cook chicken piccata as her family marveled at her strength and willpower! Ann made a final trip to Potsdam in June 2023 to celebrate and honor the life of her dear friend, Huguette Domingos, a journey she lovingly insisted on making.

Ann turned 100 Years Loved on April 19, 2025, Easter weekend. She celebrated with a large group of old/new friends and family - it was a time filled with good food, laughter and tears, storytelling, and inspiring moments. Ann spent her final months surrounded by attentive caretakers, friends, and family - how blessed she was to have such a circle of unwavering support and love. And how fitting for her to feel the nurturing spirit that she consistently shared with all of us.

Ann's funeral mass was held on Tuesday, June 24th, at 1:00 pm at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Raleigh NC (in the St. Mary's of the Angels Chapel). Visitation will start at Noon that day in the Chapel. She will be buried with Joe at the Florida National Cemetery on August 7th, their wedding anniversary. The service will be livestreamed, to join, please use the 'Join Livestream' link in the services box below.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Transitions LifeCare, by using the link below, under 'Donations'.

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