Marie Weise DiDio, 88, of Verplanck, NY and Hilton Head SC, died peacefully on December 27, 2018 surrounded by her loving family. Mrs. DiDio was born in Verplanck on September 25, 1930 to Frank and Myretta (Elkins) Weise. She was the loving wife of Joseph DiDio, who predeceased her. She was the beloved mother of Rosemary Brehm (Bill) of Safety Harbor, FL; Michele Brophy (John) of Bluffton, SC; Celeste DiDio of Tampa, FL; and Lisamarie Hickey (Joseph) of Hilton Head, SC. She was the cherished grandmother of Stephanie (James Jeffryes) and Dani Brehm; Megan Brophy; Joseph, Kevin (Jordan Haughton-James), Patrick and Sean Hickey. She is survived by her beloved brother, George Weise and sisters-in law Louena Weise and Betty DiDio . She is predeceased by her sister, Gloria DiDio and her brothers Frank and John Weise and is survived by many loving nieces and nephews, and cousins.
She attended Hendrick Hudson HS, and had a long and proud career in Educational Office Personnel in the District – starting as “Ditto-Machine Lady” – and culminating as Principal’s Secretary at Blue Mountain MS. She negotiated salaries for the Hen Hud Office Personnel Association and inspired others to honor the profession and value their contributions to the District. She organized a most successful Regional Conference for the State Educational Office Personnel Association at Blue Mountain MS in 1986.
A long-time Parishioner of St. Patrick’s Parish in Verplanck, she was instrumental in establishing the first library at this Catholic School attended by herself, generations of her Weise family, and her own four daughters. She empowered many girls of the Parish as our encouraging and fun-loving Girl Scout Leader.
Her love – after family – was all things Verplanck’s Point. Proud to be a life-long “Pointer,” she was part of every committee that sought to honor her home town: Preserving the Verplanck Schoolhouse; working with the Town of Cortlandt to enhance sidewalks and crosswalks; and opposing anything that was unfair to the “Point.” Fascinated with her hometown’s legacy, she co-authored a “History of Verplanck” for our Bicentennial; and was instrumental in Rochambeau’s Bicentennial Celebration in Verplanck in 1981.
Her activism began in 1965, when she challenged the powers that be over the 25 cent per person daily admission charge to Lounsbury Swimming Pond. She led a petition drive by parents and children of all ages against “this travesty.” She wrote – “It could cost a family with 4 kids $10 per week!” A pioneer in community organizing, her goal was to constantly improve the lives of all the children and families of Verplanck and surrounding areas.
A gardener extraordinaire; seamstress par excellence, mischief-loving, Halloween dressing-up super star, and Queen of the 7th Street High Tea get-togethers, Marie inspired and motivated all with her amazing smile, her sparkling blue eyes, her “can-do” attitude, and her Verplanck spirit in her heart. Mom was with us one last Christmas, but wasn’t going to miss dancing with Dad at Heaven’s New Year’s Eve Party.
We thank all the people who cared for her during these last years and are indebted to our sister Lisa and brother-in-law, Joe Hickey and their four wonderful boys for superbly caring for Mom in her “southern home away from home.”
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to www.StJude.org or Compassus Hospice 10911 N Jacob Smart Blvd b, Ridgeland, SC 29936
Friends may call at Edward F. Carter Funeral Home, 170 Kings Ferry Rd., Montrose, NY on Friday, January 4, from 2-4 and 6-8pm.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 am on Saturday, January 5 at St. Patrick’s Church, Verplanck with Interment to follow at St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Verplanck.
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