IL PENSIERO “THE THOUGHT”
Office: 10001 Stonell Drive
Member of FUSIE (Federazione Italiana Stampa Unitaria all’Estero) Marzo 2026
THE ONLY ITALIAN NEWSPAPER PUBLISHED IN THE STATE OF MISSOURI
An Italian American Publication
NUMERO 3
St. Louis, Missouri 63123
CONTINUOUS SERVICE AND ACTIVITY SINCE 1904
12 PAGES
MARZO M A R C H
Former Misericordia President Passes Away submitted by Rebecca Tower
Marianne Peri Sack passed away on the morning of February 18, 2026. Many people knew Marianne. She was very active in the Italian organizations and held office in several of them. She was president of the Misericordia Society for many years and was also president of UNICO in St. Louis for a time. She also served on the board of the Sicilian Cultural Association. She received numerous awards for her work in the community, including special recognition from the Board of Aldermen in St. Louis for leading the efforts to raise funds for earthquake relief in Italy in 2016. Marianne worked for McDonnell Douglas for nearly 40 years and was very involved in the Community Help and Involvement Program. She received the President’s Award and Teammate of Distinction while at McDonnell Douglas. Marianne also had a strong devotion to St. Joseph, which began in her childhood when her family hosted an altar in their home on the feast day of St. Joseph, March 19. She co-chaired the St. Joseph Altar at St. Ambrose Church with Rebecca (Venegoni) Tower in 2012. She introduced the tradition of the Tupa Tupa, or Knock Knock play, to St. Ambrose School, and the children still perform it at an all-school Mass before St. Joseph Day. The play depicts St. Joseph
knocking on doors, looking for shelter for the Holy Family. Finally, someone opens the door to them, and everyone shouts “Viva San Giuseppe” and enters the home for the party. She also ordered bread from The Hill bakeries and on March 19, passed it out to family, friends, and charitable organizations. Marianne served on the St. Joseph Altar Committee at St. Ambrose until various injuries and illnesses made it difficult for her to get around. Marianne was also the English editor for Il Pensiero and contributed many articles over the years. Marianne loved The Hill and St. Ambrose Church. Being in this church for Mass was very special to her. She made the trek from her home in Ballwin to St. Ambrose nearly every Sunday for many years. Marianne loved her Catholic faith, her family, and her Italian heritage and was also very proud to be an American. Marianne was preceded in death by her husband, Don Sack, and survived by her brother, Anthony Peri; sister-in-law, Joanna; several nieces and nephews; godchildren; and many friends.
A Musical Journey Through Italian Opera
Presented by the Italian Club of St Louis
On Sunday, March 22, at 2 p.m., the Eliot Chapel in Kirkwood will come alive with a Musical Journey Through Italian Opera. Pianist Paolo Scartoni, a professor of Italian literature with a focus on music at Wash U, and classically trained soprano Morgan Griffith will guide the audience through various eras of opera. This event is FREE and open to the public. Seating is first come, first served. Please join us and invite your friends and family! The Eliot Chapel is located at 100 South Taylor Avenue in Kirkwood. The chapel is an intimate and acoustically inspiring concert venue featuring a new Steinway piano. For more information, visit the Calendar of Events on italianclubstl.org. Italian Club of St. Louis: Our Mission Since its founding in 1922, the Club has been unique among Italian organizations in St. Louis in its mission. The purpose of the Italian Club is to promote and encourage knowledge and interest in Italian and Italian-American art, culture, history, language, science, technology, economics, and all such matters and affairs, both contemporary and historical. Also, our purpose is to recognize and honor in a public manner those individuals who have distinguished themselves through their service to the Italian-American community of our area.