Augusta Marino

Augusta Mary Marino, lovingly known as Nonna, passed away surrounded by the love of her family after a life devoted to faith, family, friendship, and service. Born one of four children on January 7, 1940, in Ridgewood, Queens, New York, Augusta was the cherished daughter of Augusto and Albina Erspamer. She was raised in a close-knit Italian Catholic family and carried those traditions proudly throughout her life. She attended St. Aloysius Catholic School and graduated from Bishop McDonnell High School, where she remained an active and devoted alumna for many years. On the very first day of high school, Augusta met Barbara Forsina, beginning a lifelong friendship that lasted more than seven decades. Their bond never faded, and they continued their cherished conversations through FaceTime until the very end of Augusta’s life.

After graduating high school, Augusta worked for several years at Pfizer Pharmaceuticals in Manhattan before dedicating herself to raising her family and later building a long and meaningful career within the New York City school system.

Augusta met Frederick Marino, at Crest Haven Country Club, and the two were married on May 14, 1967. Together they built a beautiful life centered on faith, hard work, sacrifice, and unconditional love. They raised two devoted children, Donna and

Frederick, and later became proud grandparents to Nicholas and Grace, who brought immeasurable joy to Augusta’s life.

A dedicated member of the New York City school community, Augusta began her career as a school secretary at P.S. 114, where her son attended school. She later worked at junior high school 180 before finishing her career at Beach Channel High School, retiring in June 2012. Retirement became one of Augusta’s greatest joys, as she devoted herself fully to her grandchildren. She attended Nicholas and Grace’s school trips and activities with enthusiasm and love, and she delighted in spoiling them with daily trips to Dunkin’ Donuts despite their parents’ protests. Her grandchildren were among the greatest blessings of her life.

Augusta was instrumental in the purchase of their first home in 1979, always putting family first and making sacrifices to ensure her loved ones were cared for. In August 2021, she moved to Utah to live with her son and his family, continuing to share her

warmth, wisdom, and traditions every day. She found joy in life’s simple pleasures: sewing, dancing, staying out late, going to the beach, spending time at the park, and enjoying sweets whenever she could. She loved playing Scrabble and bingo with neighbors and had a lifelong affection for dogs. A deeply faithful Catholic, Augusta lived her faith daily. She was profoundly devoted to the Rosary and the Blessed Mother and was actively involved in many aspects of church life, serving as a lector, song leader, and participant in Catholic organizations including Marriage Encounter and the Cursillo Movement. Her faith shaped the values she passed on to her family — morals, integrity, compassion, and love. She took enormous pride in preserving Italian traditions through cooking and family gatherings, teaching her grandchildren treasured recipes and lessons that will live on for generations. Above all else, Augusta was a devoted mother and grandmother whose life was defined by sacrifice, generosity, and unwavering love. She shared a particularly special bond with her daughter Donna and remained a constant source of strength, encouragement, and comfort to both of her children throughout her life. She loved Rick’s wife Gerri like a second daughter and Gerri adored her as her own mom. Augusta’s legacy lives on in the family she nurtured, the traditions she preserved, the faith she embodied, and the countless lives she touched with kindness and love. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered. 

Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at 11:00 AM at St. John the Baptist, 300 East 11800 South, Draper, UT where viewing will begin at 9:30. 

Interment will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery, 1342 East 500 South, Salt Lake City.