Obituary of Mercedes Buttaci

Mercedes Buttaci (née Malavé), cherished mother and grandmother, passed away on Friday, December 11, 2020 at the age of 79. Born on August 20, 1941 in Santurce, Puerto Rico to Mercedes Perez and Rigoberto Malavé, Mercedes was the eldest of their five children. She came to New York City from Puerto Rico on her own at 16 years old to live with her grandmother, Juana. In 1959, she met Alphonse Buttaci, a native New Yorker and WWII Navy veteran, while working at his automobile body shop. They spent 38 loving years together, raising two children, Lynn and Philip, before Al's passing in 1998. She was deeply family-oriented and played a key role in helping to raise her grandchildren. She loved going salsa dancing with her friends and watching game shows, particularly Family Feud and The Match Game. Colloquially referred to as 'The Mayor of Yonkers', she loved to have a good time and was always the life of the party. Mercedes is survived by her two children, Lynn Castaldi and Philip Buttaci, his wife Laura, and her five grandchildren: Nikki Mercedes Diaz, Vincent & Christopher Castaldi, and Anthony & Diana Buttaci. Mercedes was dearly loved by her family and friends. She will be missed terribly by all who knew her. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America.