Lillian M. Vatalaro

NEW HARTFORD - Lillian M. Vatalaro, age 61, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, October 16, 2020 in the comfort and dignity of her home with those she loved most in her heart. Born in Utica on April 21, 1959, Lillian was the daughter of Nicholas R. Vatalaro, Sr. and the late Catherine “Katie” (Moran) Vatalaro. She was a graduate of T.R. Proctor High School/Class of 1977, and continued her education at SUNY Oswego. She matriculated to Utica College of Syracuse University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Secondary Education. Lil began her working career at the (UFCW) United Food & Commercial Workers Union Local #1 as Secretary to the Vice President, the position from which she retired after more than 20 years. Concurrently she pursued post-graduate courses and received a Master’s degree. Lil was a mother figure, with her mother’s assistance, to her two nieces who she loved as her own. She accepted a position at Oneida-Herkimer-Madison BOCES where she worked patiently and diligently in Special Education. She then worked at Kids Oneida on a part time basis to share her heart with those children who needed her. She also taught at one of the local prisons. She had a passion and love to be with people, and all of these efforts were to fulfil her desire to be a great mentor. Although Lillian had a great sense of humor and was a bit of a teaser and joker, she was a woman of sincere generosity. If she had something and you needed it, you got it! She had a “big hand” and a benevolent heart. Holidays were spent with family seated around the table with traditional meals. Everyone came home and valued their time together, …thank God Lil did not cook. But she was a great tennis player, a sport she began in high school, and she also participated in softball and bowling, always remaining very active. She vacationed at travel spots in New York State, favoring Lake George and Brant Lake in the Adirondacks, and nothing can compare to the memories she made during those days with her family. Lil was a strong-willed, determined woman, and one of her greatest accomplishments was raising her brother Nicky’s girls. She loved them, guided them, and took on the role of mother; the girls looked up to her and adored all that she did for them. She was very spiritual and felt the presence of her mom about her. She valued the lessons of life that her mother passed on to her, and they kept her mom’s memory alive. Not everyone would have accomplished the things she did, but her reasons were genuine, sincere, and from her heart. Lillian is survived by her dad, Nicholas R. Vatalaro, Sr.; siblings, Ray Vatalaro, Beth and Bob Davies, Kevin Vatalaro and Lily Oh, and the memory of her brother Nicholas R. “Nicky” Vatalaro, Jr. who preceded her on September 6, 2018; her 9 nieces and nephews, especially acknowledging Mary Kay Vatalaro-Tyksinski, Jacqueline Vatalaro, and twins Sandra Vatalaro and Nicholas R. Vatalaro III; great-nieces and great-nephews, especially Vincent Sgaglione, Michael Plumb, Addison Tyksinski; her aunt, and cousins. Visitation will be held Friday from 4:00-6:00 at the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave. Due to current restrictions, we will be operating at a reduced occupancy. We ask for your patience as we try to accommodate those coming to support the Vatalaro family. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Lillian’s funeral service and Celebration of Life which will commence on Saturday morning at 11:30 at the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes where her Mass of Christian Burial will be offered. Face masks are required and social distancing and contact tracing will be implemented at both locations. In lieu of flowers, donations in Lil’s name may be directed to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital online at https://www.stjude.org or by mail to 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; envelopes will be available at the funeral home. During this time of social distancing that we are all experiencing, please take a moment to connect with Lillian’s family through the “Memories” section of her obituary. Our prayers go out to all as a sign of our continued support. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDYfEBY9NM4 “Let It Be” by The Beatles

Lillian M. Vatalaro

April 21, 1959 - October 16, 2020