Obituary of Santina M. Mallare

Santina M. "Tina" Mallare, 83, of 3095 West Oak Hill Rd., formerly of 93 Falconer St., died Tuesday January 12, 2010, in the home of her daughter Kathy. A Jamestown native, she was born May 30, 1926, the daughter of the late Virgilio "Virgil" and Marianna "Mary" Averna Lattuca. No one can deny that she was a strong woman who was never intimidated by the challenges of life. Even while she fought and endured cancer, heart disease, and other physical problems, she never dreamed of letting life pass her by. She was one of those people who never knew a stranger or passed up an opportunity to talk about her love for her Italian heritage, her love and devotion for her parents, her beloved husband or her children. And somehow, she always brought the conversation around to God and what He had done for her. She had such love for her Savior that you could hear it and see it in every aspect of her life. In her younger years, she was hired by the New York State Education Department as a reading mentor for advanced readers and as a discussion leader for the public school parent organization. Mom taught for a short time in Perrysburg, NY - until she started her family. When her family was young, as a stay-at-home mom, she organized home groups under the "Home Bureau" and "Round Table Discussion Group" for young mothers for many years. She was also a leader, organizer, and publicity chairman for the Jamestown Sister City Committees, chaperoning two student exchanges to Italy and one exchange to Finland. She continued to be active with the Jamestown High School class of 1943 until her most recent battle with cancer. When her family was young, she taught catechism and CYO at St. John Church here in Jamestown. For many years, she led a church group for parents, the Christian Family Movement. Although, she wouldn't call herself a Bible scholar, she was never afraid to teach other women anything and everything she knew about God's Word. She often taught Bible studies in her home, where she lovingly counseled and encouraged women, young and old. Strong in more ways than "just" physically, many remember her as an outspoken political activist, never cowering from the attacks she endured. She was instrumental in bringing the Conservative Party to Jamestown, and served as its publicity chairman and president for many years. One thing is undeniable - she believed and would defend it with all her heart! She loved to write stories, and because she loved life, she loved to tell anyone who would listen about all she had experienced in her 83 years. Her writings were inspiring as well as entertaining. Even those who disagreed with her on other issues continue to be enthralled with her numerous Post Journal accounts of her family and of her travels. Natives of Jamestown could reminisce with and have been inspired by her retellings of her childhood in The Lost Neighborhood, or of singing in the choir at St. James Church, where she met Dad, or about losing her marriage license, or about our family reunions. She could take a simple scenario and make it either filled with meaning, or else downright hilarious. She devoted countless hours to the Fenton Museum in establishing an "Italian Heritage" exhibit, contacting families and gathering pictures and history of early Italian immigrants to Jamestown, inspiring others to do the same. Her love for music is what drew her to the love of her life - her husband, Vincent Frank Mallare, (son of Antone and Sarah Provenzano Mallare) whom she married July 5, 1947. Her love for him and for his music inspired each of her children to fall in love with music. Mom was active in church choirs for many years at St. James and at Bethel Baptist Church, where she had been a member for the past 40 years. She actively participated as a member of the Mozart Club, serving on the Board and writing and delivering many study papers on composers. She was respected and adored by so many. Even when she was lying in a hospital bed, the nurses would comment on what a sweet and funny woman Tina was. When her pastor would come to minister to her and to pray for her, she would pray for him to be blessed and to prosper through her affliction. "To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others, to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded" -Ralph Waldo Emerson In short, she was a rock, the true Matriarch. She was the life-giver, the heart and soul of the Mallare family. Carrying on her legacy are her children Mark (Sandy) Mallare, Maureen (Jon) Stahley, Ronald (Teresa) Mallare, Brian (Kathleen) Mallare, Kathleen (Stan) Collver, Marcia (Drew) Robbins, nineteen grandchildren, six great grandchildren and a brother John (Jean) Lattuca. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband August 6, 2004. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in Bethel Baptist Church. Rev. James Read will officiate. Burial will be in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Friends will be received from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Friday in the Lind Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Bethel Baptist Church, Hospice of Chautauqua County or the Mozart Club Scholarship Fund, c/o Chautauqua Region Community Foundation. "To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others, to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded" -Ralph Waldo Emerson You have truly succeeded, Mom, and are admired by your loving children!