Carmel Lamarco

YOUNGSTOWN - Prayers will begin Monday at 10:30 AM at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Austintown Chapel, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM at St. Joseph Church for Carmel Ann (Pupino) LaMarco, 83, who died Wednesday, July 29, 2015, surrounded by her loving family at St. Elizabeth Health Center.

Carmel was born October 18, 1931, in Youngstown to Nicholas and Viola (Tocco) Pupino.

Carm, as she was affectionately known by friends and family, grew up in Youngstown and graduated from Chaney High School in 1949 as a member of the National Honor Society.

After being introduced to the love of her life, Ralph LaMarco, at the local swimming pool in 1951, Carm and "Ralphy" were married in 1954. She worked as a secretary and bookkeeper at GMAC and The Kroehle Company before retiring and realizing her true calling as the matriarch of the LaMarco family.

Carm could almost always be found cooking up a storm in the kitchen for the crowd of family and friends who gathered around the kitchen table eagerly anticipating Carm's pasta. Within minutes of walking through the front door, guests were bombarded with invitations for meatballs, a beer, or anything she had to welcome them into her home.

When she wasn't in the kitchen cooking, she could be found on the phone chatting with her girlfriends about neighborhood gossip or planning their next trip to the casino. She was a socialite at heart always looking forward to breakfast with the girls, club with friends, or the monthly couple's card game. Although she loved all those activities, nothing brought Carm more joy than spending time with her family, especially her two great granddaughters, Ava and Alaina.

To Carm's family, she was the rock they all relied upon, providing solutions to all life's obstacles, small or large. She was the voice of reason, the boundless open heart, and the unrelenting giggle that brought joy to every moment spent with her.

Carm leaves behind her loving husband, Ralph; her daughter, Pam Dickerhoof; her son John (Chris O'Leary); grandsons, Matt Dickerhoof (Vivian) and Mark Dickerhoof; two great granddaughters, Ava and Alaina; three brothers, Jim Pupino (Sophie), Bob Pupino (Isabel), and Nick Pupino (Marie); sister-in-law, Connie Lepore; brother-in-law, Gus Lepore; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Family and friends may call Sunday from 2 to 5 PM at the funeral home.

The family would like to thank the kidney group, Dr. Garg, Advanced Cardiology, Dr. Yossef, and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Associates. They also want to express sincere thanks to Carmel's caregiver, Brittany; Carmel's wound care nurse, Chris Zysk; her neighbors; and family who looked after her and Ralph.

Visit www.higgins-reardon.com to send condolences.