Obituary of Mary Jo C Marotta

Mary Jo “Mojo” Marotta has just climbed her stairway to Heaven, June 13th, 2024.

Mary Jo is predeceased by her father, Rocco, mother, Rosemary and her sister, Carol Ann Bugnacki.

She is survived by her sons, Robert John Manipole Jr. (Dawn Casazza), and Louis David (Christina) Manipole, her brothers, Rocco Marotta, and Charlie Marotta, sister, Jeannine (Tim) Cass, four grandchildren Jadin, Payton, Sophia, and Audrey Manipole, nephew, Joseph Marotta and niece, Melodie Pond.

The Great Spirit couldn’t have blessed us with a stronger mother, and sister. She was a fighter since the day she was born. She did her best as the first child to be a role model for her siblings. Later, most children her age were going to junior prom, graduating from college. Instead, Mojo set aside those milestones so that she could raise her boys at a very young age to provide and give them the best lives she possibly could. She helped to care for her parents, with honor and dedication, Rocco and Rosemary (Rock n Ro) until their passing . Mojo also aided in caring for her sister, Carol Ann. An artist never satisfied with a finished masterpiece, she continued to be there for her boys’ families, as well as her nephews, Tj & Daniel Cass, Leland Bugnacki, and nieces, Gabriella & Michaela Marotta. Her family would often communicate that; when Mojo, demanding the very best from anyone she came into contact with, would “pull a Mojo,” by intensely demanding that things be done and missions accomplished with the same attention, detail, and commitment to excellence that she would expect from her own. With gas still in the tank, Mojo turned her attention to the care of the clients at Hutchings Psychiatric Center. Many of her clients have since written that they owe their current health to Mojo’s work with them.

Her passing to the Great Beyond has left a great gap here on Earth. Never satisfied with a finished product,  it is said that Mojo has been looking for work Upstairs; rumors abound that she’s currently in cahoots with Mother Teresa. Mom showed us how to be tough. She showed us how to clean. She showed us how to cook. She showed us how to lead, love, persevere, and to fight for what’s worth fighting for. Most of all, no matter our thoughts, our disagreements, perspectives, or fears, she showed us how to be eternally loyal to our fellow man. This is Mojo’s story from one family’s perspective.

Mom, your work here on Earth has come to an end, but we all know you’re not done yet. May your love and compassion shine on this often broken world. Even though we’ve lost her for the time being, all is not lost. We have each other. Our faith in humanity has been restored by Mom’s passing; to all the nurses, PA’s, Doctors and medical related professionals at St Joseph’s, Wilmot Cancer Center and ICU, Strong Memorial, you have recharged our faith in our species. Dr Casulo, Bri, Grace, Brian, Eric, and Julia, thank you for what you do.

One last HUGE thank you to Hope Hospitality Lodge, American Cancer Society for welcoming us and providing us with the basic comfort of home while away. If any of you want  a cause to give to something special, something to donate time or money to in honor of our Mojo Risin, please donate to them. Take care of one another. Work hard and be nice to others. Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t…. A Queen just raised a beautiful family from the age of 16 years old. Anything on this Earth is possible. We love you mom. So long for now….