Anna "Sitto" (Abounader) Cafarelli

Mrs. Anna Abounader Cafarelli, “Sitto”, age 86, of Utica, passed away on Monday, November 23, 2009 at the Presbyterian Home for CNY, Inc. after a brief stay at their rehabilitation center. Born in Utica on May 5, 1923, Anna was the daughter of the late Namtallah and Mary (Samaha) Abounader. A lifelong resident of her beloved Utica, Anna was a graduate of T. R. Proctor High School Class of 1940, the first graduating class. She furthered her studies and graduated from the Excelsior School of Business. It was at St. Louis Gonzaga Church that she married her “one true love” Dominick A. Cafarelli. Dominick passed away on November 17, 1978. They shared a loving and devoted union, and she always cherished his memory and was proud of all of his accomplishments. After raising her children, Anna returned to work as an administrative assistant at the Rome Air Development Center, the position from which she retired. As a loving ‘Sitto’ (Arabic for grandmother) to many, Anna was a very hospitable, selfless, and welcoming woman with a great sense of humor and a beautiful smile. Her family and friends will cherish her memory as a faith-filled, loyal, and fiercely patriotic person who fostered and encouraged achievement and independence in herself and others. Her honesty, friendship, kindness, and generosity of spirit drew all who met her to call her both “friend” and “Sitto.” She followed the path of the Lord and her life was centered around goodness and justice. Active and athletic throughout her life beginning with her days at Quinn Playground, playing semi-pro tennis during her teen years, swimming at Power Dam, and in her later years, she was an avid golfer and a longtime proud member of her beloved Valley View Golf & Country Club. Additionally she found great pleasure in playing cards and dominoes with her friends every Monday for many years. Anna was a member of the GALS Club, and NARFE (National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association), and the Christ Child Society. A longtime parishioner of Blessed Sacrament Church, and now St. Mary of Mt. Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Parish, she was a 50+ year member of various local choirs. Anna held a seat on the parish council at Blessed Sacrament Church for many years. She was a longtime member and many times president of both Blessed Sacrament’s Mothers’ Club and Altar Rosary Society. Anna also served as both lector and Eucharistic minister. Anna is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Joyce C. and Michael P. Duignan of Utica; her sons and daughters-in-law, Dr. David F. and Sandy Cafarelli of Green Acres, FL, and Steven D. Cafarelli of Jensen Beach, FL; her grandchildren, Danyse and John Collins of Utica, Christine and Peter Hoyt of Adams, MA, Michael and Sara Duignan of Troy, NY, Cameron Cafarelli, and Connor Cafarelli, both of Green Acres, FL, Christopher S. and Jessica Cafarelli, and Andrea Cafarelli, all of Atlanta, GA; and her great-grandchildren, Corryn Collins, Christopher Collins, and Xandria Duignan. Survivors also include her nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and in-laws, Harry Abess of Endwell, NY, and Rocatella Petrone of Utica. She was predeceased by her sisters, Selma Karam, Lucy Abounader, Louise & Naaman Berman, Ada and John Joseph, and Lucy Abess; and brothers, Louis Abounader, and Neval Abounader. Visitation will be held Friday (today) from 4:00-8:00 at the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave. For those wishing to do so, please consider memorial donations in Anna’s honor to Health Friends; envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Anna’s funeral service will commence on Saturday morning at 10:00 from the funeral home and at 11:00 at St. Mary of Mt. Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Parish where her Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Interment will take place in Calvary Cemetery.

Anna "Sitto" (Abounader) Cafarelli

May 5, 1923 - November 23, 2009