Carmela M. (Nicotera) Dee

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL / FORMERLY OF UTICA - Carmela M. (Nicotera) Dee, passed away peacefully on December 9, 2023. in the care of loved ones at her home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida with David and Barbara Dee Deacle. Carmela was born on May 26th, 1924, in Utica, New York to Salvatore Nicotera and Agnes (Perin) Nicotera. She attended Mt. Carmel School before her family moved to Duluth, Minnesota where she graduated from Duluth Central Highschool. It was there that she met and married Raymond Dee with whom she had six children. She worked as a buyer for Glass Block Store in Duluth and after returning to Utica in 1958 Carmela began her long career with General Electric Company (G.E.). During her tenure with G.E. she worked in electronics and later in aerospace as an inspector. She received multiple awards for wiring design suggestions. Some of her accomplishments included work under military contracts on F1-11 fighter jets and heavy-lift transport helicopter communication wiring. Carmela retired from G.E. after 30 years and relocated to south Florida where she enjoyed staying busy working part time at Tropical Assemblies and for the North Broward Hospital District 7th Avenue Clinic as a file clerk. Carmela was known for her love of travel, cruises, social clubs, bowling, as well as bingo, and playing casino slot-machines for fun. She played cello in high school and shared her love of music with her children and enjoyed listening to her sons and daughters sing and perform. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother and was affectionately referred to as “Grandma-Blue” by her first grandsons because she lived in a blue house and drove a blue car. She was a fabulous cook and well known for her home baked bread, Italian pastries and biscotti, and an all-time family favorite dinner, “Chicken and Polenta”. She was loved by many at Blessed Sacrament Roman Catholic Church in Oakland Park, Florida for her service as a Eucharistic Minister. She served with compassion while spending time with the elderly in local nursing homes sharing the love of God through her Christian faith. She was also loved by the ladies of “The Encouragers” study group at her daughter Kathleen’s church in High Springs, Florida where she enjoyed Bible discussions and sharing in prayers. Carmela will be remembered most of all for her love of family and her endearing sense of humor that included always telling the punchline first when repeating a joke. She loved to laugh. Many will miss her Friday calls just to “check in” and they always ended with, “I love you”. Carmela is survived by her six children: Sharon Dee, Barbara Dee Deacle, Alan Dee, Joseph Dee, John Dee, and Kathleen Dee Dailey, sons-in-law and daughters-in-law: Jay Hooey, David Deacle, Debbie Dee, Dawn Moran, Julie Dee, and James Dailey. She is also survived by 21 Grandchildren, 18 Great-Grandchildren, 5 Great-great grandchildren, her sister-in-law Ruth Nicotera, many nieces and nephews including Richard Nicotera who faithfully visited her every year and was honored to be on her Friday call list, and many dear cousins. She was predeceased by her parents Salvatore and Agnes Nicotera, brothers John and Vito Nicotera, sister-in-law Bernice Nicotera, sister Katherine (Nicotera) Aubain, grandson Austin Dee, great granddaughter Alexandria Dee, and great grandson Cameron Hooey. The family wishes to thank Continuum Hospice for the wonderful care provided to Carmela and her family, especially Natalie, Dalia, and Rebecca. Rebecca’s singing soothed Carmela in that while she could not respond Carmela would tap her toe and move her lips to the joyful songs Rebecca played. We are forever grateful for our beloved mother who gave selflessly to her family and who shined her light on all of us. A Prayer Service honoring Carmela’s life will be celebrated on Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Christ Our Savior Mausoleum Chapel (Hilltop), 2407 Oneida St., New Hartford. In lieu of floral offerings, memorial contributions in Carmela’s honor may be made to The Continuum Hospice Foundation online at https://continuumflorida.com/foundation/ and St. Jude Children’s Hospital, which was so dear to Carmela’s heart, online at https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html; envelopes will also be made available at the service.

Carmela M. (Nicotera) Dee

May 26, 1924 - December 9, 2023