Stephanie Persico

Stephanie Mack Persico, 83, of Amsterdam, NY; passed away unexpectedly October 20, 2023.

Born in Amsterdam on April 13, 1940, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Mary Kocan Makarowski.

Stephanie graduated from St. Mary’s Institute in Amsterdam in 1958. Subsequently she received her AA Degree in Liberal Arts from Fulton Montgomery Community College in Johnstown, NY and Secondary Education in English from SUNY Albany, NY and finally her Master’s Degree in Special Education from Russell Sage College in Troy, NY.

Stephanie taught in the Greater Amsterdam School District at both Theodore J. Roosevelt Junior High School and Lynch Middle School from where she retired in 2002.

She was a member of the Amsterdam Retired Teachers Association, Amsterdam Friends of the Library, Historic Amsterdam League, Horace J. Inman Center, the Century Club, LaCucina Bocce League, Friends of Sanford Stud Farm and Amsterdam Reads.

On November 30, 1958, Stephanie was united in marriage to Peter P. Persico, who predeceased her on March 18, 2005.

Stephanie is survived by two sons, Peter J. Persico of Miami Beach, FL; and Brian M. (Nancy) Persico of Amsterdam, two daughters, Paula M. Salatel (Jeffrey) of Johnstown and Deborah Scarfo (Paul) of Meriden, CT; six grandchildren, Brooke Scarfo, Paul Scarfo (Kelsey), Brittnie and Brianna Persico and Joseph and Jeffrey Salatel, three great grandchildren, Owen Sweeney, Lorelai Ogilvie and Carter Joy Scarfo, her sister-in-law, Rosemary Garrison. Nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.

Stephanie was also predeceased by her sister, Barbara Bielawa and brother- in-law, Roman Bielawa and Raymond Garrison.

Relatives and friends are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial, which will be celebrated Saturday October 28, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church, 156 East Main Street, Amsterdam, NY 12010.

Calling hours are Friday, October 27, 2023 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Riley Mortuary, Inc., 110 Division Street, Amsterdam, NY 12010.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in Stephanie’s name may be made to Montgomery County SPCA, SPCA Road, P.O. 484 Amsterdam, NY 12010, Autism Speaks, 420 Franklin Avenue, 2nd Floor, Schenectady, NY 12305 or Special Olympics, 94 New Karner Road, Albany, NY 12203.

To send online condolences to the family, please visit www.rileymortuaryinc.com