Marianna “Marion” Dipaola Randazzo

Marion Randazzo, age 89, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 4, 2016 at Fairview Manor.

She was born on September 24, 1927 in Alimena, Sicily, Italy to the late Cologero (Charles) DiPaola and Elizabeth Cappuzzo DiPaola. In 1932 at the age of 4 ½, she traveled by ship to America with her family, where they settled in Brooklyn, NY.

In 1953, she married Salvatore “Sam” Randazzo and moved to Erie, PA.

Marion had many skills. She was an excellent seamstress, often making her own clothes, as well as “special occasion” items for her daughter and grandchildren. She was a terrific cook and enjoyed making Italian dishes and desserts for her family and friends.

She attended Michael’s Beauty Academy and enjoyed a successful career as a hairdresser throughout the 1960’s and 1970’s for Luzier’s and Reflections Hair Salons. She was a personal hairdresser for local talk show host, Jeanne Carnes, and often appeared on the Jeanne Carnes Show preparing unique Italian dishes.

Marion and her husband were founding members of St. Jude Church and she was a member of the Gannon Wives Club.

She took great pride in caring for her family, friends, and her home. She lovingly cared for her mother, taking her into her home, for 16 years, as her mother endured Alzheimer’s disease. Sadly, Marion became a victim of this devastating disease for the last 13 years of her life.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Sam; an infant grandson, Matthew Walkiewicz; a sister, Josephine Curto and a brother in law, Peter LaFata.

She is survived by her daughter and son in law, Roselle and Stan Walkiewicz, grandson Stephen Walkiewicz, Florida; granddaughter Terese Cardamon and her husband, Petty Officier 1st Class, Nick who is serving in the U.S. Navy, in California. Also survived by a sister, Mary (Anthony) Catalano of New Jersey; sister in law, Frances LaFata, Erie; brother in law, Frank (Sadie) Randazzo of Kansas; brother in law, Dino Curto, New York; dear friends, Nettie and Larry Panozzo, of Chicago; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and godchildren.

Marion and Sam greatly admired Monsignor Henry Kriegel and she would be honored knowing he was officiating her funeral mass.

The family wishes to thank the dedicated staff at Fairview Manor, particularly, “Missy” for the loving care they gave her each and every day throughout the years.

Friends may call at the Burton Westlake Funeral Home, 3801 W. 26th Street (at Powell Ave) on Friday from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. at St. Patrick Church, 130 E. 4th Street, Erie. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to celebrate Marion’s life by helping others. Memorials may be made to St. Patrick Food Pantry, 130 E. 4th Street, Erie, PA 16507 or the Bradley Foulk Children’s Advocacy Center for child victims of abuse, 1338 W. 38th Street, Erie, PA 16508.