Marie Pingitore Towlson of Baldwinsville, NY passed away on the evening of July 30, 2021 with family by her side. Marie grew up on her family's farm in Angola, NY surrounded by her extended Italian family. She graduated valedictorian of her Lake Shore Central class in 1954, where she was known for her brains, smile and pizza making skills. She received a full scholarship to Syracuse University and was the only woman to graduate from Syracuse University with a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering in 1958.

She met Howard, her husband of 63 years while attending SU. After graduating she chose a career as a domestic engineer, raising four girls. Her daughters appreciated living with a walking encyclopedia who not only helped with homework but sewed their clothes and baked them homemade pizza. They were often not so appreciative of being woken up to with Beethoven's 'Für Elise' being played loudly on the piano when they overslept.

An exceptional cook, Marie enjoyed feeding people, whether it be preparing large holiday meals or whipping up a fresh raspberry pie for a friend who dropped in. Neighbors, friends and family looked forward to her Italian pizzelles at Christmastime.

After making a puppet for one of her daughters in the early 1970's, Marie saw a market for washable, durable puppets and her "eMPTy Heads" business was born. Marie's puppets were used in school language classes, health clinics and have traveled all over the world. She often filled requests to create look-alike puppets. Her whimsical creations included belly dancers, basketball players, doctors and furry animals  which brought joy to recipients young and old. A member of the Baldwinsville Art Guild, Marie sold her puppets at art festivals and gift shops across the state and the Syracuse Art Mart for many years.

Her passions included visiting with friends and family, reading, playing the piano, sewing, gardening, completing the NY Times crossword puzzles in pen and anything chocolate.  Marie will be remembered by all that knew her for her sweet smile, twinkling eyes and her sense of humor. Marie is predeceased by parents Rose and Anthony Pingitore.

Surviving to cherish her memory is her husband Howard; daughters Betsy (David) DeMay, Diane, Susan, and Barb (Bill) Mirch; grandchildren David DeMay, Stephanie DeMay, Ryan Mirch and Jared Mirch; her siblings Tony (Connie) Pingitore, Sandra (Jim) Hooge and Richard (Jojo) Pingitore and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express a special thank you to the staff at Brookdale Liverpool for their wonderful care and compassion.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Marie's memory to the Baldwinsville Public Library, 33 East Genesee Street, Baldwinsville, NY 13027.

A Celebration of life will be held on Sunday, October 17, 2021 at 10:30 am at the Maurer Funeral Home, Inc, 300 Second Street, Liverpool, NY 13088.

Please sign the Maurer Funeral Home on-line guest book for Marie to express your condolences to her family.