Judge Cacioppo

CUYAHOGA FALLS - Those who knew Judge Mary Cacioppo describe her as a pioneer in the Akron legal community.

Preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Josephine; daughter, Charlotte Fisher; sister, Josephine; brothers, Joseph and (Erla); Dominic and (Rhea). Survived by brother, Dr. Dino Cacioppo (Marge) of Rhode Island; cousin, Joe (Isabel) of Green; son-in-law, David Fisher and many nieces and nephews.

Mary graduated from Garfield High School and received a BA from Kent State University. She was the only woman in the Akron Law School (now The University of Akron School of Law) graduating class of 1945 and entered a field dominated by men.

After no job offers and pounding on too many doors, she finally decided to practice law on her own, but no one even wanted to rent her space.

Mary's history is one of firsts. She served as the first woman assistant law director in the city of Akron, first female chief prosecutor, first woman to serve on Akron Board of Zoning Appeals, and first appointed female referee to the Domestic Relations Court. Upon surrendering her seat on the 9th District Court of Appeals in 1992 due to age requirements, Mary traveled all over the state trying cases as a visiting judge and hearing appellate cases, including several sessions on the Ohio Supreme Court.

Born in Akron, Ohio on May 19, 1922 to Italian immigrant parents and decided at age 10 she wanted to be a lawyer or an aviatrix (think Amelia Earhart). Then her grandfather, a judge in Italy, visited the family in Akron. When Mary declared her career plans, her mother was distressed. But Mary kept her focus on her goal.

Judge Cacioppo entered politics at age 16 as a junior campaign manager for the late Mary McGowan http://www3.uakron.edu/schlcomm/womenshistory/mcgowan_m.htm> and later worked for Democratic candidates at the local, state and national levels. She also made a name for herself by being involved with elections in a different way when she was denied the right to vote because she had kept her maiden name after marriage and was unable to prove marital status. By noon that day the quick-thinking and fast-acting Cacioppo had a ruling that admonished the Board of Elections for not knowing that Ohio law does not require a woman to take her husband's surname. In 1986, Mary was ready for her run for the political office of judge of the 9th District Court of Appeals. For years, she had stepped aside when party regulars asked her to do so for others. Not anymore. Mary, without the support of the party, and with a dedicated campaign team (you know who you are - thank you one final time) simply out worked the opposition and won handily.

From the 2004 Woman's History Project "Mary Cacioppo is a Grand Lady in every sense, intelligent and compassionate but firm and always prepared," said noted Akron attorney Paul Adamson. "She loves the law and respects those attorneys who come before her to argue zealously for their causes. She was a trailblazer for all the many women who have followed her into the legal profession, and she is a role model for all attorneys, men and women, in integrity and the ethical practice of law.

Friends may call from 5-8 pm on Monday September 14, 2015 in the Clifford-Shoemaker Funeral Home, 1930 Front St. Cuyahoga Falls, OH, 44221. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 am on Tuesday, September 15, 2015 at St. Joseph Catholic Church 1761 2nd St. Cuyahoga Falls, OH, 44221. NO FLOWERS PLEASE. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Diabetes Association, 4500 Rockside Rd, Ste 440, Independence OH 44131 or the Akron University Law School Honorable Mary Cacioppo Scholarship Fund, University of Akron School of Law, 150 University Ave, Akron, OH 44325-2901. Services entrusted to Clifford-Shoemaker Funeral Home and Crematory, 330-928-2147.

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