Marcella Mazzarelli

Cambridge – Dr. Marcella Mazzarelli died September 27, 2023 at the age of 85 years old.

Marcella was born in Massachusetts, and raised in Fayville, MA, a daughter of the late Francis A. and Mabel (Mitchell) Mazzarelli. Known to her family as Marcy, she thrived in academic settings and spent the majority of her life studying and teaching. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Brandeis University, a Master’s degree from University of Pennsylvania and a Doctorate from University of Illinois. Her studies were in Physical and Socio-Cultural Anthropology as well as Archaeology and Geography.

Marcella’s research focused on under-served populations and native communities throughout the world. Her field work and her employment in the private sector with an international engineering company, took her from Boston at the Harvard School of Public Health to Rural Mexico, Central America, Africa and The Atlas Mountains of Morocco defending indigenous peoples’ rights, lands and resources.

Dr. Mazzarelli was a university professor at Williams College and later Mass Bay Community College. As a professor she was highly regarded and sought after as a mentor by her students and colleagues. As a long-time resident of Cambridge, MA, Marcella enjoyed the Red Sox, travel (her faves were Maine and Italy), good food, stimulating conversation, and spending time with her nephews, niece and grand nephews.

She leaves her siblings, Nazzarena Mazzarelli, Angela Mazzarelli Guarneri (Stephen), all of New York, NY, Paul F. Mazzarelli (Lori) of Waltham and the late Francis R. Mazzarelli; her niece and nephews, Marc F. Mazzarelli (Hiroko) of Cambridge, Jennine Mazzarelli Tambio (Allan) of Newton, Joseph P. Mazzarelli of New York, NY and Samuel F. Mazzarelli (Jonathan) of Newton and their families.

Family and friends will honor and remember Marcella’s life by gathering for a calling hour in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Tuesday, October 3^rd from 11 a.m.  to 12 Noon before leaving in procession to Southborough Rural Cemetery, 11 Cordaville Road, Southborough where her graveside service will be held at 1 p.m.

Memorials in her name may be made to WGBH, One Guest Street, Boston, MA 02135 or www.wgbh.org or Doctors Without Borders, 40 Rector St., 16th Floor, New York, NY  10006 or www.doctorswithoutborders.org.