Mary Ann Basile Angotti, 91, of Clarksburg, passed away Friday, June 1, 2018, at the United Hospital Center, in Bridgeport.
She was born in Anmoore on Nov. 17, 1926, a daughter of the late Antonio and Vincenza Perri Basile, well-known merchants in Clarksburg for over 50 years.
In 1955, Mary Ann married the late John B. Angotti and they had four adopted children who survive, Robert Anthony Angotti Sr., of Clarksburg, and his companion, Susan Magoon, of Florida, John B. Angotti Jr. and wife, Tracey, of Nashville, Tenn., Mary Beth Angotti, of Morgantown, and Mary Ann Angotti-Smith and husband, Kevin, of Goose Creek, S.C. She is also survived by eight grandchildren; two brothers, Anthony S. Basile and wife, Loretta, of Carolina Shores, N.C., and Victor A. Basile, of New York City, N.Y.; and numerous nieces, nephews and relatives within both the Angotti and Basile family.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two grandsons, David Anthony Angotti-Smith and Robert Anthony Angotti Jr.; and the spouse of Victor A. Basile, Jack C. Goushian, Esq.
Mary Ann Basile Angotti attended Saint Francis Borgia grade school, in Anmoore, and graduated from Saint Mary’s High School in 1944. It was her Italian American parents that inspired and encouraged Mary Ann to pursue a career in music. She began her career at the age of 7 when she began taking piano lessons from Sister Eileen (Congregation of Saint Joseph) at St. Francis Borgia grade school.
At the age of 11, she was the church organist for Saint Francis Borgia Catholic Church, in Anmoore; her pay was a Milky Way bar. During her days at St. Mary’s High School, she manned the organ at Immaculate Conception Church. Through the years Mary Ann played for numerous masses, weddings and funerals, musically touching countless lives of the parish.
She furthered her mastery of the organ by studying at the prestigious New York’s Pius X School of Liturgical Music at Manhattanville College. In 1988, she received a Regents Bachelor of Arts Degree with Honors from Fairmont State College. On her retirement of 70 years of service, Father Casey Mahone arranged the ultimate Act of recognition — a Papal Blessing from Pope Benedict XVI.
Mary Ann’s passion for music touched the lives of her late husband and their children, John II, Bob and Mary Beth. The musical nurturing at an early age was influential to their musical development, John Angotti II, has become a worldwide music missionary delivering contemporary inspirational music across the globe. Bob Angotti was hired by the U.S. Navy music program to perform in their bands and Mary Beth Angotti became an established church organist.
Beyond her family, countless other children and adults have benefited from Mary Ann’s musical talents. She taught a total of 50 years from her home-based studio and award-winning pianists and Broadway musicians have resulted. In her retirement she left a legacy of music to her family, fellow parishioners and musical colleagues.
Mary Ann was a member of the Sons of Italy and a former member of the Catholic Daughters of America. She was one of the first Italian-American Women of the Year for the West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival and received an Irish Legend Honoree Award in 2018.
Family and friends may call at the Amos Carvelli Funeral Home, 201 Edison St., Nutter Fort, from 2-8 p.m. Tuesday with a prayer vigil at 7:30 p.m. to conclude the visitation.
Mrs. Angotti will be taken to the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 126 E. Pike St., Clarksburg, on Wednesday, June 6, where she will lie in state from 9-11 a.m., at which time a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated with Father Casey Mahone as celebrant.
Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Mary Ann Basile Angotti Ministries of Music at St. Mary’s Grade School and Notre Dame High School, 127 E. Pike St., Clarksburg, WV 26301, Attention: Ian McAra.
Condolences: amoscarvelli.com
