Ann Pacilio Obituary

Ann Catherine Pacilio, a beloved resident of Utica, NY, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family, on January 25, 2026.

Ann was born on December 26, 1929, to Catherinella and Orazio Maggi, who both emigrated from Alberobello, Italy. Orazio was a World War I veteran who earned a Purple Heart and helped build many of Utica's sewers and sidewalks, particularly in South Utica. Catherinella operated a beauty salon from their home on Albany Street.

Ann was a lifelong resident of Utica and graduated from Proctor High School in 1947. She was an active student and competitive athlete, participating in basketball, track, and softball. Upon graduation, Ann attended Potsdam College to pursue a teaching degree, where she met her future husband, Vincent Louis Pacilio, also from Utica.

Vince attended Clarkson College on the GI Bill after returning from World War II, where he fought under General Patton in Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge. Ann and Vincent fell madly in love and were married on August 4, 1951, settling in South Utica. Vince was a teacher, coach, and assistant principal in the Holland Patent School District and a passionate advocate and chief negotiator for the teachers' union and arbitrator for NY State, where he led efforts to secure insurance benefits for educators.

Ann and Vince enjoyed traveling the world with close friends Joe and Dolores Manganelli, and Joe and Dotty Mazza. Their marriage was filled with love and adventure until Vince's passing in 1977.

Ann was a beloved elementary school teacher in the Utica City School District for nearly 40 years, where she made a lasting impact on countless children and families. Along with her best friend, Dolores Manganelli, she was a trailblazer in implementing the early reading DISTAR program.

After retiring, Ann continued her passion for teaching as a substitute, where she delighted in meeting the children and grandchildren of her former students. She loved teaching art, music, reading, and writing. She was as strict, serious, and determined as she was kind, caring, and funny.

Ann was a lifelong learner who embraced new hobbies, traveled extensively, and delighted in discovering new places. She loved to golf, paint, cook, dance, socialize with friends, and spend time with her family. A devoted supporter of the arts, she held season tickets to the Stanley Theatre and regularly volunteered at The View in Old Forge.

She had a magnetic personality and was impossible to miss in a crowd, with her radiant smile, distinctive laugh, and impeccable style. Everywhere Ann went, she seemed to know someone-or someone who knew her or her family.

For many years, Ann spent winters in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, enjoying the warm weather, playing golf, and spending time with friends.

Anne's favorite place in the world was her camp on Otter Lake which she and Vince purchased shortly after they were married. While Utica was Ann's home, Otter Lake was her heart. It is a very special place for the Pacilio family, filled with memories of swimming, boating, hiking, fishing, and cooking with her family. Ann cherished the beautiful sunsets seen from the camp, deck, or dock and aptly named the camp Sunset Ridge.

She was the matriarch of her family, presiding over every gathering with unmistakable sparkle, a knowing nod, and a playful wink. Witty, sharp, and candid, she earned the affectionate nickname "Queen Ann."

Ann was an active member of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Utica and St. Mary of the Snows in Otter Lake.

She was predeceased by her husband, Vincent Louis Pacilio, and her brother, Michael O. Maggi, of Sacramento, CA.

For 8 years, Ann was lovingly cared for by Nancy Babowicz, whose companionship and devotion brought her great comfort and joy. Nancy's late husband, Wally, lovingly prepared homemade meals for Ann and kept her up to date on football games.

Ann is survived by her three children and their families: Dr. Louis V. Pacilio and his wife, Martha Nettleton Pacilio, of Leeds, MA, and their children, Catherine A. Pacilio and her spouse, Jeremy Clark, of Tacoma, WA, and Louis M. Pacilio and his spouse, Meghan Chapman Pacilio, with their children Elin, Shepherd, and Brooks, of Woodland Hills, CA; daughter Mary Ann Stevenson and her spouse, Alan Stevenson Sr., longtime residents of Utica now living in Westborough, MA, and their children, Alan Stevenson Jr. and his spouse, Rayssa Stevenson, with his children Kai and India, and Matthew John Abrahamse-Stevenson and his spouse, Jared Abrahamse-Stevenson, with their son, Lorenzo, of NYC; and Vincent L. Pacilio Jr. and his wife, Linda Kitson Pacilio, and their son, Charles, of Summit, NJ.

Services honoring Ann will be held at a later date in Utica and Otter Lake.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Otter Lake Fire Department (13853 State Route 28, Otter Lake, NY 13338) in Ann's memory. Ann will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and all who were touched by her beautiful smile, infectious laugh, and warm spirit.

Arrangements are under the direction of McGrath, Myslinski, Kowalczyk & Nunn Funeral Directors, 470 French Rd., Utica.

Messages of sympathy at www.mmknfd.com