Ann Joyce Marsico Venturi

Ann Joyce Marsico Venturi 

       (née McHugh)

   November 11, 2025

Ann Joyce Marsico Venturi (née McHugh), a woman of unyielding faith and quiet courage, passed away peacefully on November 11, 2025, at the age of 84. Born in December 1940 in North Scranton to James and Mary (Joyce) McHugh, Joyce grew up steeped in the rhythms of family, faith, and community that would anchor her entire life. A proud graduate of Holy Rosary School in 1958, she carried the values of her Catholic upbringing into every chapter of her journey.

In 1963, Joyce married John Marsico of Old Forge, beginning a young family that would soon grow to three spirited boys. Their first son, John, arrived in 1964; Jeff followed in New Jersey in 1966, where the family briefly relocated for John’s work; and Jimmy was born in 1969 after their return to Scranton’s familiar surroundings. Settling into a home in the Green Ridge section, Joyce balanced homemaking with part-time work while John managed the local McDonald’s. Tragedy struck in 1972 when John was diagnosed with cancer and passed away shortly after, leaving Joyce a widow at 31 with boys aged 8, 6, and 3.

She honored a deathbed promise to keep her sons in Catholic school, channeling grief into resolve. Taking a full-time position at Mercy Hospital in Scranton, Joyce became both provider and nurturer, raising John, Jeff, and Jimmy with a fierce commitment to her family. The boys were lively—sometimes a handful—but Joyce’s steady hand and open heart guided them into adulthood.

In 1983, love found her again when she married Jack Venturi, a kind and steadfast man who brought his own family into the fold: children Tony, Jackie, and Millie, along with his father, Pappa, who lived with them. With Millie still at home, Joyce blended two families with characteristic grace, creating a warm, and sometimes bustling household in South Scranton. Jack passed away suddenly in 1994.

Joyce’s legacy lives in her three sons, John Marsico, Dunmore, Jeffrey Marsico, and wife Jacqueline, Elizabethtown, and James Marsico, and wife Tamara, Owings Mills, MD, and three step children, Anthony Venturi and wife Susan, Texas, Jacqueline Garrison and her three children, Virginia, and Mildred Barbini, Scranton. Also surviving are Joyce's six grandchildren, Matthew Marsico, Meghan Archer, Eric Marsico, Shannon Burke, Jamie Marsico, and Mason Marsico, and four great-grandchildren, Emma and Andrew Archer, and Levi and Lucky Burke, and several nieces and nephews.

She is predeceased by her first husband, John; her second husband, Jack; her parents; and her brothers Joe and Bob.

The funeral will be conducted on Saturday, November 15, 2025 with Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10 am in Holy Rosary Church at Mary, Mother of God Parish, 320 William Street, Scranton. The family will receive relatives and friends at the church from 9:00 am until the commencement of services. Interment will follow immediately at Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Edward Knight O’Donnell Funeral Home, LLC, 323 William Street, Scranton.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Gino J. Merli Veterans Center, 401 Penn Avenue, Scranton, PA 18503. The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to all of the caregivers at Gino J. Merli Veterans Center for all of their exceptional care, warmth, compassion, and friendliness shown to their Mom and themselves over the years.

Ann Joyce Marsico Venturi leaves not just a family, but a quiet legend of strength and resilience—deeply missed, forever remembered.

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