MaryAnn (Abess) Gianotti

MaryAnn (Abess) Gianotti, 80, passed away, Saturday, March 18, 2023, with her loving children by her side.

MaryAnn was born on August 29, 1942 in Utica, a daughter of the late Caram and Camlee (Hiffa) Abess.  She was raised and educated locally, and a graduate of New York Mills High School in 1961. On February 16, 1963, MaryAnn was joined in marriage to Joseph Gianotti, with whom she shared over 27 loving years, until Joe’s unfortunate passing on March 29, 1990. After their marriage the couple moved to Ohio, where they raised their family. MaryAnn attended 3B School of Beauty in Newark, Ohio, where she began her career, as a cosmetologist.

MaryAnn was a proud Army mom; a people person, she was always there for her friends and family. Time spent with the people she loved, was most important, whether enjoying music, dancing, or playing board games, which she always won. MaryAnn led an Italian dance group with her family in Ohio, where they performed all over the state. She was very devout in her faith and a proud member of the St. Mary’s Guild, where she always helped with the festivals, especially when it came to making the fried dough. MaryAnn took pride in raising money for charity, whether it be for muscular dystrophy or ALS, both of which had such a strong impact on her family. MaryAnn enjoyed traveling and had been all over the world, visiting Italy, the Vatican, Korea, and many others places, including yearly trips to New York City to attend the San Gennaro festival and the Our Lady of Martyrs Shrine in Auriesville, NY.  She was an avid New York Yankees fan and also enjoyed attending Syracuse University basketball games.

MaryAnn is survived by her children, Michelle Gianotti of OH, Marc and Dr. Carrie Gianotti of MD, and Camlee Gianotti of Utica; grandchildren, Cameron and Samantha DeBevoise, and Keegan DeBevoise and Summer Washington of OH; brother, Joseph Abess of FL; sister-in-law, Doris St. Mary; special cousins, Ann Marie Ruth and Selma Smith, also known as the other 2/3rds of the oreo cookie; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was predeceased by her husband, Joseph H. Gianotti; son, Joseph R. Gianotti; and sisters-in-law, Patricia Abess and Margaret “Peggy” Klaus.

The Divine Liturgy of the Faithful Departed will be celebrated on Friday, March 24, 2023, at 10a.m., at St. Louis Gonzaga Church, 520 Rutger St., Utica. Visitation will be Thursday from 5-7 p.m., with the Prayer of Incense held by Abouna Boutros El Hachem, at 7 p.m., at the Matt Funeral Home, 700 Rutger St., corner of Mohawk St., Utica. She will be laid to rest with her beloved husband and son in Calvary Cemetery.

Donations may be made in remembrance of MaryAnn to the Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy at donate.parentprojectmd.org

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