Mazie R. Schoonmaker of East Otis, Mass., 87, passed away peacefully in North Andover, Mass., on January 19, 2013, surrounded by family and loved ones.
She was born Mazie Frances Russo on July 9, 1925, in Queens, New York, the daughter of Antonio and Mary (Mazzu) Russo. After graduating from Bishop McDonald High School, she worked for the Department of the Navy before marrying Charles Schoonmaker, Jr., in 1952. The couple, who resided in Northport, New York, had six children; Charles predeceased Mazie in 1984. For a number of years, Mazie was the owner and operator of the Northport Diner in Northport. She later ran the lunch program at St. Philip Neri Elementary School in Northport and was employed as a supervisor by the Internal Revenue Service in Holtsville, New York until her retirement in 1988.
Mazie married Gilbert Rivera in 1991. After their retirement, Mazie and Gilbert settled in East Otis, where they were both devoted parishioners at St. Mary of the Lakes Mission. Mazie also became a leader of the local Council on Aging, serving as Trip Coordinator for many years. During that time, she organized outings to a wide variety of destinations – from Broadway shows to casinos. Gilbert predeceased Mazie in 2011. She leaves behind many loyal friends who created a wonderful community for Gilbert and her during their years in Otis.
Mazie will be remembered for her devotion to family and friends, her amazing organizational skills, and the many parties, trips, and reunions she loved to orchestrate, where participants joined together to share great food, memorable times, and much love and laughter. Mazie was resilient and grounded in her faith, and she remained an optimistic, caring person throughout her life. Her greatest gifts to her children were her belief in their abilities, her constant encouragement, and her unconditional love.
Mazie is survived by her daughter, Kathleen Schoonmaker of Newburyport, Mass. and Kathleen’s partner; her son, Charles Schoonmaker, III, of Boston and Chester, Mass. and his partner, Neal Kane; her son, Thomas Schoonmaker of Spring Hill, Florida and his wife, Terry; her daughter, Mary Garrett, of Greenville, South Carolina and Mary’s husband, George; her son, Michael Schoonmaker of Lake Wiley, South Carolina and his wife, Christy; and her son, John Schoonmaker of North Andover, Mass. and his wife, Linda. She is also survived by her stepson, Robert Rivera, and his wife Ann, of Rhode Island, and their daughters Jennifer Rivera and Lesley Green. A proud grandmother, Mazie leaves 11 grandchildren: Taylor Schoonmaker, Tess Schoonmaker, Kelly Garrett, Nicole Garrett, Elizabeth Garret, Victoria Schoonmaker, Michael Schoonmaker, Maizie Schoonmaker, Charles Schoonmaker, Henry Schoonmaker, and Elliot Schoonmaker. Her extended family included her dear friends Pat and Joe Ryan of Otis.
A funeral mass will be held at St. Mary of the Lakes at 72 North Main Road, Otis on Saturday, February 2 at 12:00 noon. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mazie’s honor to Porchlight Visiting Nurse Association, 21 High Street, Lee, MA 01238 or to Acting Out Theater Company, 56 Island Street, Lawrence, MA 01840.
For more information, or to send an online condolence, please visit breenfuneralhome.com.