It is with great sorrow that the family of Mary Louise (Mary Lou/ML) Scalzitti (nee Vincent) announces her death on Monday, May 15, 2023, at her home. ML passed peacefully surrounded by her family. Mary Lou was born August 12, 1961, to Mary T. Vincent (nee Carideo) and Robert L. Vincent, both deceased. Mary Lou graduated from Villa Maria College (Gannon University) with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She won many awards and commendations in her career as a registered nurse at both Cleveland Clinic (28 years) and University Hospitals (9 years). A compassionate caregiver, ML excelled in patient care for the first half of her career, then transitioned into clinical documentation/chart review. Mary Lou’s interests were many, but none were more important to her than family. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, continually making sure to take excellent care of all, even during her toughest health struggles. She also shared a special bond with faithful companion Rizzo, her black Labrador. Mary Lou regarded many of her friends as family. The relationships she formed at work, the gym, running groups and book clubs; with neighbors, soccer parents and her children’s friends endured the test of time and distance. Such kinship was especially comforting to her during her extended illness.ML was an avid reader and simply devoured books. She would listen to audio books while walking or running in the park. Her love for literature was only exceeded by the opportunity to share that passion with people she came to adore as a longtime member of two book clubs. (She denied for years the fact that “book club” was really “wine club.”) Mary Lou had a great passion for fine wine and great food. She was an excellent cook who preserved family recipes hundreds of years old, as well as fashioning her own creations. Everything ML cooked included a palpable amount of love. She considered herself extremely fortunate to have visited restaurants and wineries throughout the world. Mary Lou also loved fashion. In her adult life, she accumulated scores of clothes, jewelry, shoes, and her legendary assortment of trademark eyeglasses – indeed, more of a borderline obsession. Yet, each of these pieces was special to Mary Lou, as she considered fashion to be wearable art. She was always meticulously dressed for the occasion, whether a formal event or a soccer game. However, her most precious accessory was her smile. It never failed to illuminate any room. ML always had time for the gym, as well as running and walking outdoors with sidekick Rizzo. Those jaunts in the park combined her love for fitness with an appreciation of plants and flowers. Her “green thumb” accented her home’s interior as well as its exterior. In her beloved world travels, Mary Lou considered herself fortunate to view fabulous natural landscapes and appreciate renowned architecture. She attended hundreds of concerts, with huge respect for musical and vocal talent. The music she loved always spoke deeply to her. In addition to her parents, Mary Lou is preceded in death by sisters-in-law Kathleen Steiner Vincent and Victoria Philippi Vincent. She is survived by husband John W. Scalzitti; daughters Therese Marie Traffis (David), Olivia Ann Scalzitti and Amanda Rose Scalzitti; grandchildren Kennedy, Kingsley, Knoxley and Kashton Traffis; sister Janet Rogers (Joel) and brothers Mark and Michael Vincent; sisters-in-law Patty Emery and Pam Kwiatkowski (Jim); and many adoring nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Friends may call at the FERFOLIA FUNERAL HOME 356 W. AURORA RD. (ST. RT. 82) SAGAMORE HILLS FOR VISITATION THURSDAY, May 25th 2:00-4:00 PM and 5:00-8:00PM. Family and friends are asked to gather Friday, May 26th at St. Basil the Great Catholic Church 8700 Brecksville Rd. Brecksville, Ohio for a Mass of Christian Burial to celebrate Mary Lou’s life at 10:00AM. Memorial gifts may be made to Cleveland Metroparks (Brecksville Reservation)in Memory of M.L. Scalzitti at https://www.clevelandmetroparks.com/parks/support/donate/give-online or mailed to Cleveland Metroparks 4101 Fulton Parkway Cleveland, OH 44144.
Obituary: Mary Louise (Mary Lou/ML) Scalzitti (nee Vincent)
