Independent, determined, and always classy, Marie Ann Pinto was a lover of all things chocolate, an avid student of world history, and perennial raconteur.

In 1928, before the Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building were completed, Marie was born in Queens, NY, to Margaret and Thomas Pandolfo, as the only child in a house of five adults. 

Growing up during the Great Depression, by age five, Marie had still logged in more flight hours than most children of any decade. In her father’s open airplane, she witnessed the Long Island suburbs develop, from a 10,000 foot high view.

Her youth at John Adams High was spent in library, Newman and glee clubs. She excelled in foreign languages like Spanish, Italian, and German. She performed in theatrical productions as well as dance recitals. She received Honors and Meritorious Service, Awards, earned her first Aid Certificate and even planned to attend the Latin American Institute. But plans changed when she met the love of her life…

At sixteen, Marie met John Pinto at her cousin’s baptism party, and wrote to him throughout his service in the Army Air Corps during WWII. Getting married in 1948, she and John honeymooned at Cape Cod, Rhode Island, Niagara Falls and Canada. The couple settled in Huntington, NY and raised two children Peggy and John Jr.

Before her husband John passed away in 1997, he and Marie enjoyed touring the country’s many campgrounds and historic destinations in their motor home. And with the birth of their grandchildren (Meghan and Andrew Flanagan; and Elizabeth, Amanda, Danielle, Katie and John Pinto), family road trips became an annual tradition.

Aside from being a skilled housewife, she was also a secretary, an electronics assembler, and a bank employee, and in every case, climbed her way into leadership positions. In her retirement, she got the opportunity to work at her favorite confectionary, Godiva Chocolatier and later volunteered at the South Huntington Public Library as their receptionist.

In 2013, after a difficult injury, she began a new life at St. Josephs’s Home for the Aged, where the Missionary Sisters of St. Benedict took excellent care of her. There, she found a new family, and was always a source of good humor.

After a valiant fight, Marie Pinto died of age-related complications at age 97. But even until the end, she never lost the sharp and playful personally that brightened all of our lives. She is survived by her children 2 children, 7 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation in Marie's name to: The Missionary Sisters of St. Benedict, 350 Cuba Hill Road, Huntington, NY 11743.