Saratoga Springs, NY - Mimi Jean Ciancio, 90, passed away peacefully on November 7, 2024.

Born on April 7, 1934 in Pittsburgh PA, to Michael and Mildred Cammarata, Mimi led a wonderfully meaningful and impactful life. She served in various leadership roles for multiple organizations, including those committed to health, literacy and education and was always surrounded by a rich network of loyal friends. Most importantly, she was a much-loved and admired wife, mother and grandmother.

Mimi grew up on the grounds of Woodville Hospital, where her father was the Medical Director, and attended St. Francis Academy. While she excelled as a student, she may have been most proud of founding the "Pirate Pals," a group of teenage girls from St. Francis who regularly travelled to Forbes Field to enthusiastically root for Ralph Kiner and the rest of the Pirates. Mimi's entourage of baseball enthusiasts made their mark, eventually featured in SPORT Magazine.

After high school, Mimi received her BA in Journalism from Duquesne University and Master's Degree in English from Penn State University. There, she met her husband of nearly sixty years, Ralph. They moved back to Pittsburgh, where Mimi taught English at Penn State's McKeesport campus, and married in 1959.

In 1965 Mimi moved to Saratoga Springs when Ralph joined the faculty at Skidmore College, soon thereafter settling on Pinewood Avenue; the family home for the next 50 years.

Mimi was a woman of many interests. She loved to entertain and was an excellent, self-taught cook. A year abroad as a student inspired a passion for travel, and multiple visits to Europe throughout her lifetime. She was also an avid reader and passionate classical music and opera buff.

In the 1970's, once her three children were well along in school, Mimi resumed her career, first as part of Skidmore's Admissions' Office then back in the classroom teaching writing. She capped her career as a pioneer in Skidmore's Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP), serving as its academic counselor, providing invaluable guidance and support for countless grateful students.

As Mimi pursued her professional endeavors, she simultaneously supported and eventually found herself in a variety of leadership roles for several community organizations. She was involved with Toys for Tots and the American Cancer Society, served as President of the local Chapter of Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, and Chairperson of the Friends of Library, where she was instrumental in securing the funding for the "new" Saratoga library on Henry Street.

During their 50th wedding anniversary celebration, her husband reflected on Mimi's extraordinary capacity to understand the feelings of others. His love for her, and her kindness and emotional intelligence needed no explanation. Her HEOP students, family and friends understood. Her infectious laugh, her uncontrollable fits of laughter, brought everyone around her in and close. She always gave you a hug, if not physically.

Mimi was predeceased by her husband of 59 years, Ralph, with whom she shared a wonderful life and a remarkable union, and survived by her three sons, Lee, Claude (Lori) and Paul, and four grandchildren, Rachel, Michael, Ella and Anthony.  All are grateful for the love they shared and will miss the special joy she brought them all.

A celebration of Mimi's life is scheduled for January, 25, 2025 from 2:00 - 4:00 PM at the Surrey-Williamson Inn at Skidmore College, 950 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Breakthrough T1D , formerly the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, at BreakthroughT1D.org or PO Box 5021, Hagerstown, MD, 21741-5021.

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.