Obituary of Mary Elizabeth Lanzi- Martini

Mary Elizabeth Lanzi-Martini passed peacefully from this life surrounded by friends and family on August 6, 2023. She is survived by her husband John James Martini, her siblings Amy Cacozza (Mark), Lois McManus, Luigi Lanzi (Lesley), Lawrence Lanzi (Rosemary), Joseph Lanzi (Karen), Anthony Lanzi (Mary Agnes), Christopher Lanzi (Megan), Brother-in-law Joseph D’Agostino, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Lawrence and Antoinette Lanzi, her sister Patricia D’Agostino and her niece Arianna Lanzi. Mary faced the many challenges of her illness with courage, dignity and strength. Her love of family, spirit of kindness and generosity will live on in all who knew her.

Mary Beth was born and raised in Amsterdam, New York where she graduated from Amsterdam High School. She earned an A.A.S. in Radiologic Technology from North Country Community College in 1977. She took a position at Albany Medical Center Hospital where she rose to the position of Chief Technologist in Special Procedures, where they were doing leading edge work in limb reattachment surgery. While there she met a guy who was lucky enough to become her future husband. In 1980 she moved to Augusta Georgia and took a position at University Hospital as a Special Procedures Technologist in the Cardiac Catheterization Lab. 1982 saw a move to San Antonio Texas where she took a position as Chief Technologist in Special Procedures at Methodist Hospital. That year she married her husband of nearly 41 years. In 1985 Mary left the patient care side of the medical field for technical sales, first with Sempco X-Ray Company and soon thereafter with E. I. DuPont de Nemours & Co. as Senior Technical Sales Representative. During this time, she completed a B. A. in Business in 1989 from Our Lady of the Lake University, and a M.B.A. from the University of Texas at San Antonio in 1992. When DuPont sold their medical imaging division Mary stepped back to evaluate a career change. Almost immediately she began caring for her terminally ill mother-in-law in New York. Upon her return to San Antonio, she began doing volunteer work in the community. During this time, she felt a calling to her roots, having grown up in a family-owned restaurant, by immersing herself in the culinary arts. Like everything else she went all in, reading, practicing, and entertaining. This led her to the Central Market Cooking School where she took a volunteer position. Soon after she became full-time staff and eventually the Manager of the cooking school. She spent 22 years there doing what she loved, teaching, sharing stories, and bringing people together through good food and good company. Many will remember her for her biweekly segments on the “San Antonio Living Show” where she demonstrated cooking in an encouraging and approachable way.

Mary was a proud member of Les Dames d’Escoffier International, a philanthropic organization of women leaders in the food, beverage and hospitality industries, who support their communities through grants, scholarships and mentorship. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to “The Mary Elizabeth Lanzi-Martini Scholarship” through Les Dames D’Escoffier International – San Antonio Chapter, LDEISA, PO Box 15302, San Antonio, TX 78212

A Service of Remembrance will take place on Sunday, October 1, 2023 at 4p.m. at Betz, Rossi, Bellinger & Stewart Family Funeral Homes, 171 Guy Park Avenue, Amsterdam, NY 12010 with The Very Rev. O. Robert DeMartinis E.V. officiating.  Relatives and friends are invited to call prior to the service beginning at 2p.m. at the funeral home.  Please visit the online memorial at www.brbsfuneral.com

A celebration of life will be held in San Antonio later this fall, date and location to be announced.