Marie Theresa Fusco

Maria Theresa Giancola Fusco RUTLAND-

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Maria
Theresa, on Wednesday August 6, 2025, at the age of 91, at the Mountain View Center,
Rutland Vermont, after an eight-year battle with Dementia. Marie (as she was usually
called) was a cherished parent, grandparent, sister, aunt, and friend, remembered for
her generosity, kindness, strength, unwavering love, and her wonderful smile.

Born on November 19,1933 in Proctor, Vermont, the middle child of Donato & Angelina
(Vitagliano) Giancola. She graduated from Proctor High School in 1952.

After high school, she was employed by the Howe Richardson Scale Company in
Rutland, Vermont and later by the Grange Insurance Company, also in Rutland. In her
later years she worked as the “TV Lady” at Rutland Regional Medical Center, collecting
fees, when you had to pay to have TV, while in the hospital. She was a longtime
Volunteer at RRMC. Volunteering was challenging at times, as she was claustrophobic
and hated elevators, so you would often find her “staying in shape” in the stairwells.
She married Anthony E. Fusco of Rutland, VT on September 22, 1956. They were
married for thirty-two years and raised two daughters.

Marie touched the lives of all those fortunate enough to know her. She was a wonderful
homemaker, cook, and baker. Her family was always her first priority. She loved
holidays and the house was always decorated. She loved Christmas and the baking
started the week after Thanksgiving. Many holidays were spent with the family around
the table playing UNO and Scattergories, often with she and her sister, Nina, making up
their own words. She always made holidays special and everyone was welcome.
She loved flowers and gardening; Did much canning and freezing of vegetables, made
pickles, jelly and jam, and the best fudge! She had a soft spot for animals and had
many cats and dogs through the years.

She loved music and played the accordion. She liked to do ceramics, liked to sew,
played bingo and cards, was an avid reader, loved doing crossword puzzles and
Sudoku. She loved the ocean and vacationed in Cape Cod, MA and Wells, ME with her
two daughters and their families. Spending time with her family and grandchildren was
very important. She valued and kept in touch with extended family and many friends,
spending much time with cousins at their camps, playing cards, reminiscing, eating, and
laughing!! Lots of laughing!! She remembered everyone’s birthday by sending cards
and she kept in touch with distant family and friends through letters and Christmas
cards.

She was steadfast in her Catholic faith, said the rosary and prayed daily.

Despite her battle with Dementia, she knew the words to many songs and would sing at
music activities at the Loretto Home and then at Mountain View Center. She still loved
to play bingo, and she could play 2 cards!! Her family was grateful that Marie was a
“happy” Dementia, and she continued to make people laugh because you never know
what was going to come out her mouth.

Maria is survived by two daughters: Gina (Alfred) Vitagliano of Pittsford, VT, and
Christine (Kevin) Elliott of Rutland, VT. Four grandchildren: Marc (Jennifer) Vitagliano of
South Portland ME, Marina Vitagliano of Mendon, VT, Jenna Elliott and Jax Elliott, both
of Rutland, VT. A great-granddaughter, Natalie James Vitagliano of South Portland, ME.
A brother, Michael (Pauline) Giancola of Essex Junction, VT. Three very special
nephews: Michael, Daniel, and David Giancola, two special nieces: Kathy Waite and
Karen King Garvey, and also a very special cousin, Martha Sue Harvey Raymond.
She was predeceased by her parents, Donato (1979) & Angelina (1940), her sister Nina
Bruyette (2023), and her former husband, Anthony E. Fusco (2020).

We would like to thank Dr. Mark Stickney for all his years of caring for Marie and the
staffs at St. Joseph Kervick, the Loretto Home, and for the past two years, the Mountain
View Center, for the loving, compassionate care that our mother received from them all.
She was loved by all.

A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday August 12, 2025, at St. Peter’s
Church, Rutland, VT, followed by burial at Riverside Cemetery, Proctor, VT.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clifford Funeral Home in Rutland.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Rutland
Humane Society, Stevens Road, Pittsford, VT.

May Maria rest in peace and be remembered always for a life so beautifully lived and a
heart so deeply loved.

Arrangements are under the direction of Clifford funeral home