[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 43 (Monday, March 11, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H1063]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       REMEMBERING MARION CAMARDO

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
New York (Ms. Tenney) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. TENNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor and remember the 
extraordinary life of Marion Camardo.
  Marion was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother 
who passed away on November 1, 2023. Throughout her long and admirable 
life, she made a significant contribution to her family and community 
in historic Auburn, New York.
  I am so grateful that I had the honor and privilege to meet Marion. 
Her kindness and love shone through her gleaming and welcoming smile.
  I also welcome here in the Chamber today her son John and grandson 
Anthony as they sit and actually get to witness a beautiful memory of 
their great mother and grandmother.
  Marion was born in East Rochester, New York, to Ralph and Argerinda 
Reginelli on August 28, 1929, and moved to Auburn as a child. After 
graduating from Auburn Central High School, she worked at several 
clothing stores and went on to manage Stevens Department Store.
  Marion married Joseph Camardo in 1955 and eventually grew their 
family to include their children, Joseph Jr., MaryAnn, Donna, John, and 
Lisa. Leaning on her good business sense, she earned a small fortune 
and was able to send all of her children to college.
  I can say from experience that Marion raised her children to be kind, 
tenacious, and community-oriented, as her son, John, who is here today, 
has become a good friend and is a leader in our community.
  Marion was also a respected community leader herself, being part of 
the Italian Heritage Society and a patron of the Auburn Civic Band. She 
continued her civic duty as an elections inspector for the board of 
elections and participated in elections, serving on the Cayuga County 
Republican Committee. She was known for her flair for design, which she 
took to create a beautiful home for her family to host parties 
throughout the decades in the community.
  Marion led her community based on her faith, having served as a 
parishioner of St. Francis of Assisi Church and serving as a Eucharist 
minister and on the school and parish committees. Marion always served 
with distinguished humility and graciousness, having put faith and 
family ahead of herself.
  For fun, Marion enjoyed the classic movies and music such as Frank 
Sinatra, Jr., and Cristina Fontanelli, both of whom she was 
instrumental in bringing to Auburn through her work at the Italian 
Heritage Society. Her joy in life was helping others and her family all 
while keeping herself humble and committed to embodying her faith 
outwardly.

  As she was a woman of strong faith and devotion, it is heartwarming 
and maybe not coincidental that she passed away on All Saints Day, but 
not without waiting to be with her family one last time during her 
final moments. She parted her family with one last piece of advice, 
which is to never give up hope no matter how difficult life may be.
  Today, we honor and remember Marion and her wonderful family. She is 
an inspiration for all to strive to maintain the values of compassion 
and commitment to our communities.
  My sincere thanks to Marion for her wise advice. May God bless 
Marion, her family, and her community. We are grateful that she lived 
and this wonderful soul was part of our community.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair reminds Members not to refer to 
persons in the gallery.

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