Marietta A. Mitchell

Brunswick-Marietta Mitchell, 85, of Brunswick Drive, passed away on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. Born in Troy, she was the daughter of the late Andrew and Anastasia (Lavazzo) Acierno and wife of the late Roger Mitchell and the mother of John Mitchell (Suzanne Rusek) of Citrus Springs, Fl.

Marietta grew up in Troy, attended CCHS and the College of Saint Rose. At both schools, she acted as president and officer of most years of school and wrote and directed plays for her classes. She graduated from both schools with high honors and is listed in the "Who's Who Among Students in Colleges and Universities." She began work at Ithaca College to get her Ph. D but not enough time to pursue it. Instead, had an adorable baby boy (her son, John).

Marietta could play the piano from the age of three and gave her first private concert at age 10 playing the unabridged works of Liszt, Beethoven and Chopin. At age 12, she started playing the organ for the two morning Masses at St. Paul's Church in Troy, singing both Masses in Latin. She began teaching music in 1962 in the Averill Park School District and was known for her SRO presentations of the Spring Flings. During the 28 years of teaching, Marietta was a substitute organist at many area churches. She also was the organist and music director at the Lutheran church in Poestenkill for 18 years and was proud of her choir, the Evangelicals, who were guest performers at over 50 places/churches.

During the early sixties, Marietta and her first husband, George Bessette (now deceased),organized a committee and founded the first Pop Warner football team in the area. At their 25th Anniversary, they called Marietta to their celebration and presented her with a beautiful plaque for her dedication to sports for young players.

In the eighties, when HIV and AIDS arrived in the Capital District, Marietta volunteered to assist the newly formed AIDS Council of Northeastern NY and became a mentor for the buddy system which helped all the people with AIDS to have a friend since most of them were abandoned by their families and friends because of their disease. She proudly did this for two years.

In 2007, Marietta ended her position at the church and formed the Mellodrama Singers who sang monthly at area retirement centers and nursing homes. She was very proud of this volunteer group for their dedication and energetic performances.

Besides teaching, Marietta owned and managed several properties in Troy for almost 45 years. She also was active in the Poestenkill community serving as a council member on the Town Board, president/officer/volunteer for the Historical Society, Youth Commission and many church activities and fundraisers.

She was predeceased by her sister, Terri Dix, survived by her sister Vicki Alber of Troy, her grandson Jordan Mitchell, granddaughter Jillian Mitchell and stepdaughter Erin (Matthew) Gahimer, and step-grandchildren Sage, Eric, Samuel, Shayla and Nick a s well as great granddaughter Alison and step-great grandson Parker.

A visitation and celebration of life will be announced and held in the future at the Perry-Komdat Funeral Chapel 2691 NY 43 at Glass Lake Averill Park.