Rachel Olimpia "Rae" (Gigliotti) Marasco
Obituaries
The Daily Sentinel page 5C - August 29, 2021
After a brief stay at
Larchwood Inns in Grand
Junction, CO, following
a fall and subsequent
hospitalization, Rachel
“Rae” Olimpia Gigliotti
Marasco passed away on
August 23, 2021.
Rae was born and
raised in the village of
San Bernardo in Calabria,
Italy, to Alfredo and
Emilia Gigliotti. After
graduating from the
University of Naples with
a teaching degree, she
taught school for several
years in Italy. In 1952 she
moved to the United States
as an exchange student to
pursue post-graduate studies at Duquesne University
in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Family connections led
her to Grand Junction where she attended then-Mesa
College to learn English. She soon met and married
Roland J. Marasco, MD, in 1953 and proudly became
an American citizen in 1963.
Rae was a devoted wife and mother, aunt, and
grandmother. Her beloved husband preceded her in death
in 2002. The couple was blessed with three children,
Mary Jo Starmer, of Denver; Emily Ann Meyer (Garry),
of Mission Viejo, CA, and Bernie Marasco (Ruth), of
Grand Junction, and grandchildren, Benjamin Starmer,
of CA; Joseph Starmer (Megan), Aubrey Raymond
(Josh), and Paige Marasco, all of Denver. On June 21,
2021 she became the proud great-grandmother of Reese
Olimpia Raymond.
Rae is also survived by cousins, Lionel Giliotti (Diane),
of Florida; Marcella Garofalo and Gesilde Cavalieri, of
Rome, and their beautiful families. She dearly loved her
nieces, Paula White (Michael) and Joan Marasco, both
of Grand Junction, and daughters of Dr. Paul and Vi
Marasco, and her grand-nephews, Paul Marasco (wife,
Sue, and daughter, Ella), and Chad Fassbinder (wife,
Dana, son, Dawson, and grandson, Enzo). She was also
greatly loved as “Zia Rachelina” to the children of her
only long-deceased sibling, Angelo, who still reside in
Italy. They include Alfredo Gigliotti (Nicoletta), Emilia
Lostumbo (Tonino), and Giorgio Gigliotti, and their
accomplished children, Paola Gigliotti, MD, Eugenio
Lostumbo, and Lorenzo Gigliotti.
A gracious hostess, Rae loved to entertain friends and
family at her home and family cabin on Grand Mesa
and enjoyed many hobbies including cooking, reading,
writing, gardening, needlework, and visiting the elderly
and homebound. Eager to impart the culture of her
upbringing, she delighted in tutoring those desiring
to learn Italian and was always willing to read and
translate letters and documents.
Rae was a faithful member of several organizations
over the years, including St. Mary’s Hospital Auxiliary
and St. Bridget’s Circle of Immaculate Heart of Mary
Catholic Church. She traveled with her husband on
several volunteer medical missions and contributed to
many charities and philanthropies.
Cremation will be by Callahan-Edfast Mortuary with
a funeral Mass to be announced at a future date.
In lieu of flowers, she desired memorial contributions
be made to Marillac Health, 510 29 1/2 Rd., Grand
Junction, CO 81504 or Colorado Mesa University
Foundation, 1450 N. 12th Ave., Grand Junction, CO
81501.
Rae’s family wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to
her dear and wonderful friends, her caring doctors
and caregivers, and the dedicated volunteers from
St. Mary’s Senior Companion Program. May all who
knew Rae continue her legacy of genuine hospitality,
kindness, and gratitude.
