Eleanor E. "Ellie" Vella

Mrs. Eleanor E. “Ellie” (Shrodi) Vella, of Utica, peacefully entered into the arms of the Lord on Sunday, April 1, 2007, at the St. Elizabeth Medical Center. Her loving family was by her side at the time of her passing. Born in Auburn, NY, Ellie was the daughter of the late John, Sr. and Emily (Sroczyk) Shrodi. During her wonderful childhood she loved spending time at her grandmother’s farm. She was educated in Auburn and also furthered her studies in the area of Business Administration. On April 27, 1957 she married Francis “Frank” Vella with whom she shared 49 years of mutual support and commitment. As a couple, the bond of family was their greatest blessing. Ellie was employed by various local enterprises, including Bendix Corp., Morris Drapery, J & H Outlet, Heller’s Upholstery Co., and lastly, the Fashion Bug. Her social skills and people-oriented abilities made her a valued employee and a welcoming salesperson. A devoted, passionate, committed woman, Ellie loved with all her heart. She was selfless and was admired for her genuine ability to put others above herself. She was blessed with charity from her heart, and in spite of adversity and the difficulties life presented to her, she found joy, humor, and much appreciation in people she knew and loved. She never missed an important event in the lives of her children and grandchildren, and although family celebrations may have assembled at a reasonable time, they always lasted into the wee hours of the night – and so did Ellie. She loved to dance, and as a fashion devotee, her signatures were her hats and scarves. Although she loved the color purple, she was also a member of the Red Hat Society. Ellie treasured the simple things in life – to see a flower bloom in her garden, to create the sound of laughter until you would cry, and to view smiles over frowns. She loved animals and nature and cherished the years at Cayuga Lake, Long Lake, and Myrtle Beach. She took up the game of golf “by accident”, mastered it, and was a member of 2 leagues! She also bowled, crocheted great treasures of afghans and lap blankets and often donated them to the Lutheran Home in Clinton and to places as far away as Florida, South Carolina, and Georgia. She was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary Malsan-Jones Post. She was a communicant of Our Lady of the Rosary Church. Ellie is survived by her husband, Frank; her cherished daughter, Francine E. and her husband John Julian of New Hartford; her sons and daughters-in-law, Richard T. and Karen Vella, Paul A. and Christine Vella, and Denis Vella and Rebecca Talerico, all of Utica; and her grandchildren who affectionately called her “Baci” were the pride and joy of her life, Samantha Vella, Nicholas Vella, twins Kyle and Adam Vella, Emily Julian, and Erin Nicole Julian. Also surviving is her sister who was her best friend, Louise A. Shrodi, and Rick Furnal of Rochester; her brother and sisters-in-law, Lawrence and Theresa Shrodi of FL, and Gloria Shrodi of Rochester; her nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and aunts and uncles, including Lottie and Frank Koziol; and her sister-in-law, Josephine Vella. Ellie was blessed with many cherished and devoted friends locally and in Myrtle Beach. She was predeceased by her brother, John Paul “Jack” Shrodi, and her in-laws, Mary and Sam Vella, Thomas Vella, who died during WW II, and Benedetta Crosby. The family wishes to thank Dr. Dilip Kachare for his many years of compassion and concern, as well as numerous other physicians, including Dr. Andrew Ho of Utica, the Albany Medical Hospital staff who gave her 10 extra years, the St. Elizabeth Medical Center Intensive Care Unit, outstanding in their compassion and committed in their care, the Katherine Luther Home, Gordon Unit and the Therapy Dept., and Father John Comeskey of St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Father Felix Colosimo, and Pastor Brian McCaffrey of the Lutheran Home. Visitation will be held Monday from 4:00 – 8:00 at the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave. By family request, please omit floral offerings. For those wishing to do so, please consider memorial donations in Ellie’s memory to Our Lady of the Rosary Church or The Lutheran Homes Foundation; envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Ellie’s funeral service will commence on Tuesday morning at 9:00 from the funeral home and at 10:00 at Our Lady of the Rosary Church where her Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Interment will take place in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Fleming, NY.