Mrs. Ferdinanda “Ferdy” (Ciccone) Demarais, age 90, passed away peacefully on March 11, 2018 after a brief illness. She was born in Utica on November 25, 1927 to the late Alexander and Josephine (Ioia) Ciccone. Over the years she held many different positions in the workforce but excelled in her primary task as a homemaker. On May 7, 1949 she married her lifelong love Ernest (Ernie) Demarais, with whom she shared 67 years prior to his passing on May 26, 2016. Together they had two children, and she was a loving and dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Family was integral to her-in their youth Ferdy and Ernie enjoyed traveling with their siblings and their spouses, and as they aged she enjoyed doting on her family with her delicious Italian cooking and baking and making everyone feel warm and welcome in her home. Though tiny in stature she had a feisty and headstrong demeanor and sense of competition, manifested most often when she was participating in board or card games with her friends and family. She especially loved playing Scrabble, and even in her 90’s always had a glimmer in her eyes and a smile on her face whenever she would play a high scoring word. She was very close with her four grandsons, and was delighted to be graced with her four great-granddaughters with whom she spent many precious moments these last few years. Throughout their marriage, Ferdy and Ernie were inseparable, and it is heartening to know that she is being reunited with him. She was predeceased by her sisters and brothers-in-law, Gloria and Rocco Ambruso, Eleanor Ciccone, Theresa and Anthony Pecorello, and her brothers, John Ciccone and Louis Ciccone. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Yvonne and Mark McClusky, of Utica, with whom she resided, and her son and daughter-in-law, Ernest and Barbara Demarais, of Virginia; her grandchildren, Eric (Mary) and Brian McClusky and Michael and Daniel Demarais; and great-grandchildren, Liliana Klemanski, Aubrianna McClusky and Sofia and Lena McClusky; three sisters-in-law, Rita Hoffman, Dorothy Rouillier, and Lorraine Coreno; a brother and sister-in-law, Donald and Peg Desmarais; and brother-in-law, Ed Berkowicz, and extended family Kelly and Shane Studer. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and many dear friends. She was a longtime member of the North Utica Community Center, and in addition to patronizing and supporting their many programs, she was especially fond of her Scrabble Club and its members, Betty Bellinger, Liz Douglas, and Sylvia Zdanowicz. Ferdinanda’s funeral will be held on Friday, March 16, 2018 at St. Mark’s Church, N. Utica at 10:30 am. The family will greet guests at the conclusion of the mass. Burial will take place in Calvary Cemetery. There are no calling hours.