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RYE, N.Y. -- Marie Federici Messina, 90, a resident of Rye Brook and a devoted wife, mother, civic leader and businesswoman, died July 25, 2015.
Messina was born May 7, 1925, in Port Chester, to Nicola and Victoria Masi Federici.
In her early life, she worked in her parent's grocery store, which foreshadowed her later business career.
She married the love of her life, John L. Messina, in 1948 and was instrumental in all of his campaigns, including those for trustee and mayor of Port Chester and Westchester County Legislator.
She began her career as a bookkeeper and, in 1974, she and John established Sound Shore Indoor Tennis. Her husband predeceased her in 1982 and she continued to own and operate the business for decades.
Messina was proud of being the first woman in the PC/RB Rotary and their first woman president.
As a member of Westchester Country Club, she enjoyed bowling, golf and theater.
Messina is survived by her three daughters, Angela Stevens, Vicki Lou Messina and JoAnn Messina, two sisters, Antoinette Federici and Gloria Messina, brother Dr. Vito Bill Federici and sister-in-law Elizabeth, two granddaughters, Becca Nell and Jonna Messina Mosoff, nephew Nicholas Federici, cousin Katherine (Babe) Barbone and nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her son-in-law Serle Mosoff and friend Paul Tartaglia.
Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday at Craft Memorial Home, Inc., 40 Leicester St., Port Chester. There will be a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Corpus Christi Church, 136 S. Regent St., Port Chester. Entombment to follow at Saint Mary's Cemetery in Rye Brook.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be sent to: Covenant House, www.covenanthouse.org in her name.
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