Mary Ida Plutro, mother of Michelle
Plutro, 1 of 38 named to the Monongah High Favorite Teacher Honor Roll I
published today, passed away Thursday in Fairmont.
Born Maria Italia Mezzanotte in 1930
to Minnie D’Amico Mezzanotte and Nick Mezzanotte, she was married for 73 years
to John K. Plutro.
Being Italian of course she was a
magnificent baker, as was my mother born in Pellizzano, Italy who came to
America at the age of 9. Mary Ida baked hundreds of cakes over the decades. As
a teen she honed her baking talents at Gloria’ Nut Shop, Bernardo’s Baker and
Select Pastries in Fairmont.
Mary Ida gave decorating
demonstrations at Fairmont State and in Marion County high schools.
Naturally her daughter Michelle
Plutro taught home economics at Monongah High. Like mother, like daughter.
Wonder if Mom showed Michelle’s home ec students who to whip up a fanastic
cake?
How did Italia become Ida? Probably
the folks at Ellis Island’s fault. When my Nona landed in New York with her 3
children who were 7, 8 and 10, my mother who was Guerrina when she boarded the
Italian ship in Genoa became Lena by the time the Ellis Island folks, who
couldn’t under Italian, wrote it down. I have the Ellis Island paperwork to
prove it.
Her older sister, Gisella in Italy,
became Gezala in America. At least the pronunciation didn’t change.
Mary Ida’s obituary:
Mary ‘Ida’
Plutro, 91,beloved spouse and loving mother passed away on Thursday, February
24, 2022 at Guardian Rehabilitation in Fairmont following a brief stay for
complications of surgery.
She was born
Maria Italia Mezzanotte on April 27, 1930 in Fairmont. She is the daughter of
the late Nick and Minnie D’Amico Mezzanotte.
She is the
devoted spouse of John K. Plutro, whom she married on August 23, 1948. During
their 73 years together they enjoyed family time and many celebrations.
Friends and
relatives will remember Ida as a kind and generous person, as the ultimate
baker, and cake decorator of beautiful, unique birthday cakes, anniversary
cakes, and wedding cakes. She baked hundreds of them over decades. Some
will remember Ida as a lector at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church or St. Anthony’s
Catholic Church and an active member of various church groups.
She first
learned her baking and decorating skills as a teen, working at Gloria’s Nut
Shop, Bernardo’s Bakery and later at Select Pastries in Fairmont. She would
periodically offer decorating demonstrations at Fairmont State College and in
home economics classes at area high schools.
Ida is
survived by her husband, John; the couple’s two daughters Denise Plutro and
Michele Plutro of Fairmont; granddaughter Nicole Amendola; two great grandsons
Isaiah Amendola and Noah Waites. She is survived by her brother, Nick
Mezzanotte, Jr. and his wife CheChe, and sister-in-law Virginia Cameon Mezzanotte.
She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition
to her parents she is preceded in death by one granddaughter D’Andrea
Amendolea, brother Pat Mezzanotte, one sister and brother-in-law Antoinette
(Harry) Mezzanotte Adams all of Fairmont.
Family and
friends may call at Ross Funeral Home 801 Fairmont Avenue Fairmont on Monday
from 3-8:00 P.M. The Catholic Funeral Liturgy will be Celebrated on Tuesday
March 1, 2022 at 10:00 A.M. at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Watson with Fr.
Vincent Joseph as Celebrant. Interment will follow at Mt. Carmel Cemetery.
A Vigil
service will be held at the funeral home Monday evening at 7:30 P.M.
Condolences
may be sent to www.rossfh.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment