Obituary of Maria Camaratta

Lady Lake — Maria Camaratta, a long-time Florida resident, died Tuesday November 29th, 2011 at Shands at the University of Florida, Gainesville. Born in 1944 in Philadelphia, PA, Maria received a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology from Drexel University in 1968, and a Masters in Recreational Therapy from the University of Southern Alabama. Ms. Camaratta worked as a medical technologist until the mid-1970s, but put her career on hold to raise her children. Her first, Marc, was born with downs syndrome, a development that profoundly changed her life. Maria made it a point to find meaning in everything, and surrounded herself with friends who did the same. She spent her later years as a recreational therapist and a librarian. She spent much of her retirement involving herself in activities that she felt strongly about including the Sacred Circle of Women, the Democratic Club at the Villages, singing in the St. Timothy's Choir, and helping the mentally challenged. She is survived by her mother Anastasia Karpchuk, brother Sylvester Karpchuk, her sons Marc, Christopher, and Matthew Camaratta, and her grandson Kaiden, all of whom brought great joy to her later years. Memorial services will be held at Unity of The Villages Church, Spruce Creek Shopping Center at 10 am, Saturday, December 10, 2011. In lieu of flowers, Ms. Camaratta has requested a donation be made in her honor to the Next Chapter Book Club: The Nisonger Center (memo: Next Chapter Book Club) C/O Vicki Graff 2w57A McCampbell Hall 1581 Dodd Drive Columbus, OH 43210