November 21, 2011

WATERTOWN N.Y.  —  Rita F. Mackey, 92, formerly of California Avenue, passed away Sunday evening, Nov. 20, at Samaritan Keep Home where she had been a resident since February 2009.

The funeral Mass will be said 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 23, at Holy Family Church with Rev. Steven Murray officiating with burial following in Glenwood Cemetery. 

Arrangements are with Cummings Funeral Service, Inc., Watertown.

Born April 30, 1919, in Watertown, the daughter of Dominick and Mary Brindesi Frattali, she graduated in 1936 from Watertown High School, and had taken college business courses at the American Institute of Banking.

She married John P. Mackey on May 31, 1952, in Watertown. He died June 10, 1983.

Mrs. Mackey began her career in banking with Northern New York Trust Co., which merged with Marine Midland Bank. Her positions included chief clerk of operations, assistant secretary and vice president, president and chief executive officer, and she retired as regional executive vice president in 1980.

She was very involved with her community. She was a member and on the board of directors of the Watertown Foundation, a member, on the advisory board, and second vice president of Mercy Hospital, a former member of the Flower Memorial Library board, and a board member of the United Fund. 

She was a member of the National Association of Bank Women, a charter member and past vice president of the Business and Professional Women's Club of Watertown, and in October 1974 she was awarded Finance Magazine's Banker of Achievement and Woman Banker of the Year. In November 1974, she was also awarded City of Watertown first Honorary Citizens recognition. 

Her faith was also very important to her. She had been a communicant of Holy Family Church, a trustee of Mater Dei College, Ogdensburg, a board member on the General Committee for the Bishop's Fund for the Diocese of Ogdensburg, and had been treasurer of the Sacred Heart Foundation.

Surviving are two sisters, Clelia M. Navarra, and husband, Nelson C., Watertown, and Lucy F. Trumble, Liverpool; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

Besides her husband, John, she was predeceased by a brother, Vincent Frattali, and a sister, Theresa Tierney.

Contributions in her name may be made to either Sacred Heart or Watertown Foundations.

Information provided by Cummings Funeral Service and Newzjunky.com, Watertown