Alva Mae Aubrey Marticelli
June 8,1930 – January 4, 2026
As the granddaughter of Welsh and German immigrants, Alva Mae Aubrey believed in the power of education to transform lives. Born to an immigrant family of modest means, her father, uncles, and grandfather labored in the coal mines of Eckley, Pennsylvania.
The immigrant experience and living through the Great Depression forged a desire for security and independence and fostered the work ethic that was instrumental to achieving her goals. Understanding that education was the key, Alva was the first in her large extended family to attend college, graduating from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing in 1951.
Alva worked throughout her adult life and enjoyed an accomplished career as a nurse-educator. She served in the Rush–Henrietta School District, working primarily at Sperry High School for over 30 years (1963-1995). While raising a family, she also returned to school at night, earning Bachelor and Master’s Degrees in Nursing from the University of Rochester and a Master of Science degree in Ambulatory Pediatrics from the University of Buffalo.
Alva was a leader in professional and civic associations. She served as President and First Vice President of the New York State School Nurse Teachers Association, authored articles for the Association’s journal, served on its editorial Board, and was honored with their Distinguished Service Award. She also served on the Advisory Committee on School Nursing of the New York State Department of Education, and as Secretary of the Genesee Valley Sports Medicine Council.
Alva Mae Aubrey Marticelli
June 8,1930 – January 4, 2026
As the granddaughter of Welsh and German immigrants, Alva Mae Aubrey believed in the power of education to transform lives. Born to an immigrant family of modest means, her father, uncles, and grandfather labored in the coal mines of Eckley, Pennsylvania.
The immigrant experience and living through the Great Depression forged a desire for security and independence and fostered the work ethic that was instrumental to achieving her goals. Understanding that education was the key, Alva was the first in her large extended family to attend college, graduating from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing in 1951.
Alva worked throughout her adult life and enjoyed an accomplished career as a nurse-educator. She served in the Rush–Henrietta School District, working primarily at Sperry High School for over 30 years (1963-1995). While raising a family, she also returned to school at night, earning Bachelor and Master’s Degrees in Nursing from the University of Rochester and a Master of Science degree in Ambulatory Pediatrics from the University of Buffalo.
Alva was a leader in professional and civic associations. She served as President and First Vice President of the New York State School Nurse Teachers Association, authored articles for the Association’s journal, served on its editorial Board, and was honored with their Distinguished Service Award. She also served on the Advisory Committee on School Nursing of the New York State Department of Education, and as Secretary of the Genesee Valley Sports Medicine Council.
She was an active volunteer with the American Heart Association (receiving its Service Recognition Award), the Susan B. Anthony Society, and the American Red Cross. After “retiring” from the school district, she added to her many years of Red Cross volunteer service by working as a nurse educator, resulting in 50 years of honored service. At the Red Cross, Alva led CPR training for countless EMTs, firefighters, high school students, teachers, and office personnel. She even trained others to be new Red Cross CPR trainers. As an Emergency Medical Technician herself, she brought real world experience and anecdotes into her classrooms.
Alva was a tireless ambassador for education and life-long learning, as was her husband of 43 years, Joe Marticelli. Joe was also the child of immigrant parents who arrived in America from Italy. Together they shared the American immigrant experience and the drive to establish a secure and independent life through education and public service. They passed their passion for education to their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Alva’s memory is a blessing to those who loved her, and to the countless others she helped throughout her life. There is no better way to honor Alva’s legacy than to help other immigrants through education. May scholarships funded through donations made in Alva’s name transform the lives of immigrants and refugee WEC students for years to come.
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She was an active volunteer with the American Heart Association (receiving its Service Recognition Award), the Susan B. Anthony Society, and the American Red Cross. After “retiring” from the school district, she added to her many years of Red Cross volunteer service by working as a nurse educator, resulting in 50 years of honored service. At the Red Cross, Alva led CPR training for countless EMTs, firefighters, high school students, teachers, and office personnel. She even trained others to be new Red Cross CPR trainers. As an Emergency Medical Technician herself, she brought real world experience and anecdotes into her classrooms.
Alva was a tireless ambassador for education and life-long learning, as was her husband of 43 years, Joe Marticelli. Joe was also the child of immigrant parents who arrived in America from Italy. Together they shared the American immigrant experience and the drive to establish a secure and independent life through education and public service. They passed their passion for education to their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Alva’s memory is a blessing to those who loved her, and to the countless others she helped throughout her life. There is no better way to honor Alva’s legacy than to help other immigrants through education. May scholarships funded through donations made in Alva’s name transform the lives of immigrants and refugee WEC students for years to come.