Jennifer M Scarano

Jennifer M. Scarano, 75, a nurturing wife, mother, grand-mother, great-grandmother, and friend passed away peacefully on November 2, 2026 at Sarasota Memorial Hospital Venice in Venice, FL after a brave battle to make the world a better place through humor and love.

Born on May 23, 1951 in Ithaca, NY, Jenny was the third daughter of the late Roger and Mary Hannahs, growing up in a home filled with music.

Jenny graduated from Saratoga Springs High School in 1969. She was retired from the New York State Assembly where she was the Chief of Staff for two Assemblymen, Bobby D’Andrea and Roy McDonald, as well as for the office of the Minority Leader Pro Tempore. She went on to enjoy her later years travelling between her homes in Saratoga Springs and Venice.

If Jenny wasn’t preparing an elaborate family dinner, you could find her quietly picking a winner on race day at Saratoga Race Course, beating her grandchildren and daughter in laws at Chinese checkers, or simply relaxing by the pool. Her passions were many but none greater than her family, enjoying them most when they were all together around her dinner table eating the delicious meals she cooked for Sunday dinners and holidays. You knew it was a special day when you saw her pouring through her recipe album to help craft the perfect menu for the occasion. Snowman cookies were a perennial favorite at Christmas and were often delivered by mail to loved ones who lived farther away.

Jenny had a special love of all animals, especially her cats. She had a knack for going to the shelter and picking out the sweetest, yet most playful and mischievous ones to liven up the house.

An avid story-teller, especially about her kids and grand-kids, her witty and infectious sense of humor were always present and were a reflection of her life-long youthful spirit. You could always hear her chuckling while reading her favorite section of the newspaper, the comics, which she would emphatically proclaim as the most honest place to find the news. Her pranks, routinely played on, and with, her grand-kids will remain embedded in family lore. The Christmas gift auctions were sure to have some hysterically inappropriate and fun surprises!

Her memory will be carried on by her steadfast partner of 41 remarkable years, her husband Jerry. She is also survived by her son Capt. Joseph Eric Masten and his wife Cristina Contreras of Lutz, FL, former daughter-in-law Lisa Masten of Greenfield, NY, daughter Abbey Mabb of Indiatlantic, FL, step-son Adam Scarano and his wife, (“the other”) Jennifer Scarano of Westford, MA, step-son Marc Scarano and his wife Darlene of Burlington, VT, her sister Katherine Whipple and her husband, Gary of New Fairfield, CT, sister Cynthia Reedy and her husband Wayne of Scotia, NY, sister Jocelyn Hannahs of Saratoga Springs, NY, beloved cousin Jane Welch of Queensbury, NY, many nieces and nephews, 8 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, and her beloved kitty, Scout. We will all miss her dearly.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Jenny’s name to the Saratoga County Animal shelter where she rescued many of her feline companions, including Buzz and Lolly.

The family is planning private services. Celebrations of life will be held in Venice, FL in a few weeks and in the Saratoga Springs area this coming spring.