Rachel Ann Passaro

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Rachel Ann Passaro of Saint Augustine, Florida. She passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on March 25, 2025 after an extended illness. She was born in Walston, Pa. on July 9, 1932 to Carmen and Margaret Marasco. One of her favorite childhood memories was attending a one room schoolhouse with children of all ages and claiming she was always the smartest one! She also loved reminiscing about walking the "little lane" to school lined with crabapple trees and relished the simple life of growing up in a small town. The family moved to Farrell, Pa. when she was nine years old. She attended Farrell High School and was a member of the marching band, playing first chair clarinet. Her first job was working at Isaly's Dairy and always mentioned how she loved helping run the business. She also worked at Strauss's Department Store where she was a natural at doing displays due to her keen sense of fashion. She had planned on becoming a buyer for the store, but met the love of her life, a handsome, blue-eyed Italian named Mario. It was history after that! They were married October 7, 1950. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years and loved everything about it. Her happy place was in the kitchen, cooking many delicious recipes, especially home-made pastas and sauce, and always baking up a storm! She loved entertaining, throwing fabulous parties for the many friends she and Mario had on Patt Drive and their small tight-knit neighborhood. After most of the children were grown, she decided to work outside the home and became a teacher at Mrs. Fitzgerald's Preschool in Sharpsville, Pa. several years before opening Mario's Pizza. It was a family affair with her sister Bernie, and her children helping. The pizza shop was a hit for the guys at the Westinghouse who would patronize often, ordering her homemade bread on Fridays, and all the delicious subs, pizzas and chilli which was Mario's specialty.

Although she and Mario loved their home in Farrell, they made the decision to move to Florida to follow their girls, who had relocated there and to be close to the second love of her life, her grandson, Dante. They loved exploring their new surroundings, often taking off on impromptu trips to flea markets, strawberry festivals, shopping excursions and taking in the sights and sounds of many small, laid back towns of Florida, Tarpon Springs being one of their favorites.

They enjoyed coming to many of her grandson Dante's sporting events and were always his biggest fan! Her great grandson, Demetrius, soon became the third love of her life! The love they shared was a special bond that time will never break. He enjoyed hearing all of the stories of her life and reminiscing about his father, Dante with her.

They were avid walkers, enjoying many different parks and trails, beginning in Buhl park in Pa.and then to many more in Florida. They joined their daughters and cousins in Fort Lauderdale on one of the Lymphoma and Leukemia Society's walks. After Mario's passing, she also walked her first 5K with her daughters in Clearwater, Fla, to raise money for Brain tumor awareness, and a walk in Hollywood, Fla. in honor of her grandson, Dante, during The Life Alliance for Organ Donation's event.

The cooking and baking tradition continued in Florida, with many moments spent in the kitchen with the whole family contributing, not only to the preparation of food, but to the making of memories. We will all remember those moments that were full of laughter, music, and impromptu dancing! Her son-in-law Ken's favorite dessert was her lemon meringue pie which could have won awards if it was ever submitted in a contest. Christmas Eves were always spent planning and cooking the traditional Italian Feast of the Seven Fishes, with tons of cookies baked months in advance with daughter Lisa to last the season! Sweets also always included boxes of Daffin's candies, which were Rachel's favorite!

Her favorite things were always tied to her family. She enjoyed having "happy hours" with her daughters, with Colleen in Fort Myers swinging on the back patio, watching the cardinals and blue jays or with Lisa and Ken, enjoying the preserve view from their patio, watching for deer, eagles, egrets and her favorite, her hummingbirds. She loved her glass or two of wine every night!

Anyone who knew Rachel would tell you she was a kind and compassionate soul, with a huge heart. Her love of family and tradition was instilled in her children, grandchildren and great grandson, and that love spilled over to the many friends and family that knew and loved her.

She was a "favorite" aunt to many of her nieces and nephews, who often mentioned she was like a second mom to them. She never failed to open up her home, provide a meal or a shoulder to anyone who was in need. Many friends still called her frequently and she enjoyed the gift of those lifelong relationships. One of the things that most remember about her were her "Rachel" stories! She loved sharing her memories of her life with anyone who would listen and many would say they never got tired of hearing about such a beautiful life!

A life is measured in gathered moments and memories. Fragments of time combine, weaving each moment, each day, each year into a rich tapestry of a life well lived. All those who knew and loved Rachel are not only fortunate, but wiser and more compassionate for the imprint she undoubtedly ingrained in our hearts.

Rachel is survived by her children, Mario Alan Passaro, Colleen Passaro, and Lisa Passaro Capezzuto (son-in-law Ken Capezzuto), her granddaughter, Tabitha Miller, and great grandchildren, Demetrius, Kirsten, Jeremy and Brody and numerous loving nieces, nephews and godchildren.

She was preceded in death by an infant daughter Collette Passaro, a son, Ricky Passaro, and a grandson Dante Capezzuto. Also, her parents, Carmen and Margaret Marasco, siblings Joseph Marasco, Bernadine Parenti, Connie Ed) Fischer and Frank (Rosalie) Marasco and a cherished nephew, Jim Marasco.

Per their wishes, she and her husband, Mario, will be buried together during a mass of Christian burial, to be held at a later date in Farrell, Pa.

Pulmonary Fibrosis is a terminal disease of which there is no cure. If you are so inclined, donations can be made to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation. The link for Rachel's page can be found at https://fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/PFFTribute/RachelPassaro