Marilyn Mastrolia

Oneida-It is with broken hearts that the family of Marilyn Mastrolia announce her passing on December 30th 2021. 

Born in Altona, Manitoba, Canada in 1949 to Henry and Anne Loeppky, Marilyn began an adventurous and interesting life. She spent her first 18 years living in the Mennonite community of Altona where she survived both polio and a lack of indoor plumbing. From there, she moved across the country to Ottawa, Ontario. While in Ottawa, she proudly joined the ranks of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) for 10 years; her assignments took her all over the world including serving as an intelligence officer during the Greek Junta of 1967. She also attended the University of Ottawa, taught classes at a community college, and spent many nights dancing at the discotheques in Quebec. She regularly ventured to Europe, traveling to over 14 countries, and embarked on miscellaneous adventures such as meeting Queen Elizabeth II and driving on the Autobahn.

While living in Ottawa, she met her soulmate, Carmine Mastrolia, MD on a fate-filled blind date. The two eventually wed in 1978 and relocated to New York City while Carmine completed his medical residency. After his residency was complete, they settled in Sherrill, NY and eventually Oneida where they would reside for the remainder of their 42-year marriage. Of all her adventures, being a mother to Sarah and Matthew was her second favorite. Her first favorite was being Monnie and jellybean-supplier to Sarah’s children, Henrik and Marliese. Her generous and altruistic nature was demonstrated in her service as president of the Library Foundation, former president of the Hazel L. Carpenter home, and as a member of the Progress Club. She proudly served in these roles for over 20 years. She also graduated from LeMoyne College in 1994. She often took cross-country roadtrips with her children and her dog Gigi to visit her family in Manitoba, Canada.

Hers is an example of a life well lived.

A very special and heartfelt thank you to the staff of the ICU at Oneida Healthcare; their compassion will never be forgotten.

Surviving in addition to her husband, children, and grandchildren are son-in-law Marc Ritter, daughter-in-law Jessica Mastrolia, sisters Carolyn Loeppky and Virginia Sykes (Michael), brother James (Sandra), and several nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles all residing throughout Canada.

Funeral services will be held at 12PM (Noon), Thursday from St. Patrick’s Church where the Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Reverend Nathan Brooks.   Marilyn’s family will be greeting friends and relative, prior to the service, 11 AM-12PM, at the church. Masks are required regardless of vaccination status. Interment will be made in St. Helena’s Cemetery.  Marilyn and her family are in the care of Jeffrey T. Paul, at the Coolican-McSweeney & Paul Funeral Home.  To offer a condolence, please visit: coolican-mcsweeney.com

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Marilyn’s honor to the Salvation Army. The family has strong loyalty to the Salvation Army for saving the life of Marilyn’s father while he was gravely ill in the Canadian Arctic.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Marilyn Mastrolia, please visit our floral store.