Marianne Vendetti Urraro

Marianne Vendetti Urraro

Marianne Vendetti Urraro of Erie, 89, died Friday, September 1, 2017, at St. Mary's Home after a brief illness. A lifetime Erie resident and Catholic, she grew up in the Little Italy area where she watched her immigrant father build a business and saw the community work together. The themes family, service, and hard work were present throughout her life.

She was a president of the Women's Welfare League and worked extensively with Monsignor Daily to found Our Lady of Peace Church in 1956. She sent drum after drum of goods to orphanages in Africa and worked to provide medical equipment to the Culion Leper Colony in the Philippines. As a volunteer in the infant and small children's ward at St. Joseph Orphanage, she took babies home for the weekend and gave them parties in her home when they were older. She was a founder of Community House in Erie, a refuge for abused women and their children. Marianne was especially passionate in her work alongside Father James Peterson in founding Maria House Farm Project, which provides small group living for men recovering from addiction and mental and emotional illness.

In addition to her ongoing community service, Marianne had a strong entrepreneurial spirit and created many family business ventures with her late husband of 62 years, Frank Urraro, including a restaurant wherein she provided a free meal to anyone in need. All of her children participated in the family business.

As a first generation American, Marianne was a longtime member of the Italian American Women's Association and felt it was important to help those who strived for a better life. Through providing employment opportunities,she facilitated the immigration to the United States of many Italian families.

Marianne also enjoyed animals. She bred and raced thoroughbreds, and her home and barn was a well-fed and loving haven to stray cats and dogs.

Although she was dedicated to her career, her service, and her hobbies, her family of six children and nine grandchildren were the center of her life, and she lived every day for them. Her children and grandchildren will always remember her wicked sense of humor, her love of fun, and how she was always ready to go to the movies. Her home was their home, the family home, the gathering place, and a symbol of her unending generosity, love, support,and time that she gave freely all of her life.

Besides her husband she was proceeded in death by a son Scott Urraro. She is survived by three daughters, Rebecca Kistle of Erie, Lisa McLallen and husband David of Erie and Anne Kelly and husband Robert of Charlotte, N.C.; two sons, Charles Urraro and wife Karen of Erie and Dr. Sergio "Curt" Vendetti and wife Christina of Virginia Beach, Va.She is also survived by nine grandchildren, Lance and Elizabeth Urraro, Justin Kistle, Carmen Goodsen, Abigail Urraro, Hallie Utley, Ian McLallen, Alexandra and Vincenzo Vendetti.

Friends may call at the John R. Orlando Funeral Home, Inc., 2122 Raspberry Street, on Thursday from 11 a.m. until the time of the service at 2:00 p.m. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Maria House Project, 1218 French Street, #7, Erie, PA 16501.