Maria "Marie" Manzano

Maria A. “Marie” Manzano

July 15, 2025

Maria A. “Marie” Manzano, 89, of North Scranton, died Tuesday night, surrounded by her loving family, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was preceded in death by her husband, Miguel G. Manzano, who died in 2002.

She was born in Scranton, daughter of the late Anthony and Mary Poldruhak Occhipinti of Dunmore, She was educated in Dunmore schools, and later, Scranton public schools, and graduated from Holy Rosary High School, Scranton, in 1954.

While in high school, she worked at the Blue Lantern, The Castle, and Coopers Seafood House.

She worked in the restaurant industry and resorts, including the Inn at Buckhill Falls in the Poconos; Gray’s inn in Atlantic City; where she met her husband and later married in 1959. They settled in Florida first, where she worked in Miami Beach and Lake Wales, Fla. before moving to Danbury, Conn. There, she and her husband owned and operated a restaurant called Michael’s Kitchen. She also was a realtor and a licensed real estate broker in Danbury, operating her own business, Maria Manzano Real Estate.

In her many years in the restaurant business, she met many celebrities and national figures, including the Kennedy family, Joe DiMaggio, Jimmy Hoffa, Rodney Dangerfield, Mahalia Jackson, Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, George Raft and Jimmy Durante.

The family moved to Dunmore where she worked in area restaurants including the Mid Valley Diner, Billy’s Steak House, and Angelo Bistocchi’s. She left the restaurant business after 37 years to work for Harper Collins Publishing, and was a proud member of Local 220, International Brotherhood of Teamsters. When Harper Collins moved its warehouse operations to Indiana and eliminated her job, she served as concierge at Plaza 550 in Scranton, where she made many friends, including her best friend, Dorothy Schramm.

She was a founding member of the Dunmore High School Band Boosters, active with the Holy Rosary High School Alumni group, and was active in all of the Catholic parishes in which she was a member over the years.

She loved her Catholic faith and had a special devotion to St. Ann. Her family was the center and joy of her life, and she loved them dearly, most especially her granddaughter, Maria, who was the apple of her eye. For many years, she enjoyed her days with her daughter-in-law and friend, Maureen; and granddog, Duke, her faithful companion.

She was a true friend to all who knew her, and would fiercely fight against any injustices she witnessed. A loving mother, she had a generous spirit and a welcoming heart, and loved to be “Mom” and “Grandma” to her children’s and grandchild’s friends as well. She enjoyed sitting outside and chatting with her neighbors and always appreciated visits from her friends.

Surviving are her loving children: daughters, Maria Johnson and son-in-law, Eric, Oneonta, NY; and Susan Epps and son-in-law, Steve, Pottstown; son, Michael and daughter-in-law, Maureen (Marzen), Scranton; a granddaughter, Maria C. Manzano, and fiancé, Patrick Dalrymple.

She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Michelle Manzano; brothers, Carl V. Occhipinti, Major Charles Occhipinti, USMC ret., and sister-in-law, Patricia Vestal; and Anthony Occhipinti; and numerous cousins, aunts and uncles.

Marie’s family would personally like to thank her best friend, Dorothy Schramm, for her faithful friendship, especially during Marie’s illness. The family would like to thank the many compassionate members of her medical care teams who cared for her through her illness.

The funeral will be Saturday at 9:30 AM with Divine Liturgy at St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church, 700 Oak St., Taylor. Interment, Dunmore Cemetery.

Family and friends may call Friday, 4 to 7 PM, at Vanston and James Funeral Home, 1401 Ash St., Scranton.   There will be a prayer service offered Friday evening at 6:30pm.  

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church, c/o St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church, 140 Church St., Old Forge, PA 18518.