Fay Vaccaro of Centralia, a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend to many, passed away peacefully on October 24, 2023, at her home surrounded by her loving family and close friends.
Fay was known by most as ‘Grandma Fay’ because she cherished and supported not only her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren but also loved scores of other young people in her community. Her home was always open to those of all ages who needed her for her sewing ability, a quick meal of spaghetti and buyalatti, a glass of wine, or those who just needed her wisdom and advice.Fay was a dedicated advocate for girls’ and women’s sports and worked for many years with the Centralia Park and Recreation department to establish and maintain the girls’ softball league. She and Charlie, her husband, spent over 30 summers teaching young ladies the basics of softball and teaching them the many life lessons that mastery of competitive sports affords. Fay was dedicated to her five daughters and scores of other young women. She shared her athletic and leadership gifts with them in the hope of creating strong, confident, accomplished, and independent young women.Fay was well known as an accomplished seamstress and for the many spectacular May Fete gowns she created over the years for her own daughters and for many other members of the May Fete court. She kept a closet full of beautiful dresses that she created and generously shared with any young lady who needed one for high school and sorority social events. She was the happiest and the most creative when she was sewing beautiful gowns with her well-used sewing machine.Fay began her work career when she was hired in 1966 as Secretary to the Business Administrator for Centralia High School. She then worked as a legal assistant for Crain, Hall, and Cooksey for many years. She ended her career as an Administrative Assistant at the Centralia Chamber of Commerce where she particularly enjoyed helping to organize the annual Balloon Fest.Well-loved by her community, Fay was honored to be selected as Grand Marshall of the 91st Annual Centralia Halloween Parade in 2017. She has been a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church for 66 years and her faith has always been a cornerstone of her life of service to others.Fay was born July 25th, 1929 in Victoria, MO to Milton and Freda Hill. She was the second oldest of 11 children born and reared on their family farm. She married Charles S. Vaccaro on November 17th, 1951. He preceded her in death on March 11th, 2007.
Fay is survived by her daughters, Teresa Olsen and husband Peter of Cape Coral, FL, Carol Jo Brewer and husband Steve of Gainesville, GA, Mary Jane Cain and husband Tracy of Patoka, IL, Rita Thorne and husband Woody of Makanda, IL, and Annette Shores and husband Steve of Centralia; siblings Ruth Ann Barnett and Donald of Festus, MO, Doris Brooks of Festus, MO, Kenneth Hill and Karen of Festus, MO, Donald Hill and Vicki of Festus, MO; grandchildren Jeremy Olsen of TX, Erin Gill and Fred of Cape Coral, FL, Kevin Olsen of Cape Coral, FL, Patrick Olsen and Allie of Cape Coral, FL, Evan Brewer of Atlanta, GA, Charlie Gierten and Dana Trumbo of Centralia, Rita Jo Wright and John of Centralia, Samantha Kwiatkowski and RJ of Centralia, Mary Heltsley and Jarrod of Centralia, Chuck Lauder and Paige of Centralia, Michelle Murphy and Dugan of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, Mitchell Lauder of St. Louis, MO, Anica Etheridge and Travis of Centralia, Hannah Shores of Centralia, Drew Shores and Madeline of Centralia, 26 great-grandchildren and 2 on the way, and many nieces and nephews. Along with her husband, she is preceded in death by her parents and 6 siblings.Fay’s family would like to express a special thank you to her devoted caregivers who lovingly cared for her during her extended illness and to honorary daughter Kelly Schwartz and husband Jeff and honorary granddaughters Raigen and Kenadi Schwartz. We thank you for your devotion to our beloved matriarch.A visitation for Fay will be held on Monday, October 30th from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home and a Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, October 31st at 10:00 am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Centralia. Thirty minutes prior to the Funeral Mass, the Rosary will be recited. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to St. Mary’s School and may be accepted at Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home at 235 N. Sycamore Street, Centralia, IL 62801 (618) 532-3523, who is honored to be of service to the Vaccaro family. Online condolences can be made on the Funeral Home’s website www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com or the Funeral Home’s Facebook page
