Marie Spitz of West Babylon with her daughters. At the age of 75, Marie Spitz decided that she wanted to go back to work. She saw an ad in her local newspaper, interviewed for the position and was hired by the Amityville Record as an advertising representative. For two years, she was an integral part of the Amityville Record, which also publishes the Massapequa Post and Babylon Beacon, and became a beloved employee according to publisher Alfred James.

"She was totally committed to her job and to the papers and we felt honored to have had her work with us," he said.

Marie Spitz, a resident of West Babylon, died July 17 following a brief illness. She was 77 years old.

Throughout her life, Mrs. Spitz always did her best, according to her family. "She was a determined woman who called her own shots and had a sense of independence that was fierce," said her daughter Linda Bisogni. "She encouraged all of us to meet our challenges head on and to be responsible and not to settle for anything less than we thought we deserved."

Mrs. Spitz was a buyer for Lords Industries, an electronics parts firm in Hauppauge, and retired in 1992. She raised her family practically on her own, earning the love and respect of her children. "She has been both father and mother to us for most of our lives," said Linda. "She worked very hard to support us; kept the roof over our heads and food in our refrigerator. She made a lot of sacrifices, making do with very little for herself so her four daughters could have nice things."

Her daughter Diane recalls how her mother managed to provide the perfect balance between discipline and affection. "She tempered her discipline with kindness and we always knew that no matter what, she was always there," said Diane. "Family meant everything to her."

When she wasn't working or spending time with her family, Mrs. Spitz enjoyed doing word search and crossword puzzles and crocheting. She was also known for her famous pot roast, which she said contained a secret ingredient: love. Mrs. Spitz was born in Staten Island to Homer and Mildred (Thomas)Ashley. In addition to her daughter Diane Krogram and her husband Donald, of West Babylon, and her daughter Linda Bisogni of Westchester, Mrs. Spitz is survived by her daughters Elizabeth Fuller and her husband James of Lindenhurst and Patricia Perito and her husband, Joel Troy of Southampton. Her grandchildren Josh and Nicole, Rachele and Nick, Sarah-Beth, Bobby and Lilien, Jason, Brian, Mallory and Dana also survive her as does her great grandson

Nicholas and her sister Gail Stanton and her husband Ken of Georgia. Her husband Alfred predeceased her.

Mrs. Spitz reposed at the Powell Funeral Home, Broadway, Amityville. A funeral service was conducted there Sunday evening, July 20, Rev. David W. Anglin, pastor, St. Paul's Lutheran Church, officiating. Cremation was private.