Lillian Susan Zongrone

Lillian Susan Zongrone passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 19, 2024, surrounded by her loving daughters, Elena and Mara, her grandson, Jack and her sons-in-law, Michael and Neil, leaving behind a legacy of generosity and commitment to others. She would have celebrated her 90th birthday in May. Born May 31, 1935 in Syracuse, NY, Lillian was preceded in death by her parents, Luigi (Louis) and Maria (Palma) Mancini and sisters, Pauline Costantini, Teresa Cummings, and Jean Aiello. Her parents and sisters emigrated from Italy, making Lillian a first generation American. With a 22-year age difference between her and her youngest sister, she grew up surrounded by nieces and nephews, as her siblings had already started their own families. Lillian attended Prospect School and graduated from North High School. She served as a private secretary for the Sisters of Saint Joseph with the hospital of the same name. At age 20, Lillian met the love of her life, the mischievous Francis (Fran) G. Zongrone. His good looks, charm and sense of humor won her over, and they married in 1955. They spent a year in Texas while Fran completed his service to the US Air Force. They returned to Utica where they purchased a home on Oneida Street where she remained for 65 years and where their children, Mark, Elena and Mara were born. Mark provided her with four grandchildren, Bianca, Erica, Mark, II, and Juliet and a new great granddaughter, Stephania. Elena made her a loving mother-in-law to Michael Sadeghpour and grandmother to Jack. Mara’s marriage to Neil Campolungo provided Lillian with another adoring son-in-law, as well as stepdaughters, Barbara and Natalie and grandchildren Erica, Ashley (deceased), Megan, Tyler, and Briana. Family was the center of Lillian’s life, raising three children of her own, as well as three grandchildren, following the death of her beloved son, Mark. With a strong work ethic, Lillian instilled the values of diligence and perseverance in her children and grandchildren. She also became a driving force in her husband’s business, Tri-Temp Refrigeration, as well as office manager in her son’s medical practice. Her talents extended beyond the professional realm with passion and extraordinary expertise in the kitchen (famous for the best eggplant parmesan)! Lillian was a strong advocate to many charities and organizations. Her commitment to helping those in need was especially realized when Mara created The Sandbox, a Charlotte, NC-based charity for children with cancer and other life altering illnesses, founded to honor the work of her brother. Lillian jumped in with both feet, touching the lives of countless people with her generosity and grace. She was an emblem of enduring faith and hope, even in the face of grief when losing a child. A lifelong Catholic, Lillian found great solace at the beach; traveling to beautiful locations; reading; listening and toe tapping to a wide array of music, and conquering word search puzzles. She was a fierce competitor watching Wheel of Fortune, as well as when she played cards with Michael and Neil. Lillian (aka, Nani by many) was adoringly dubbed a baby hog since she never met a baby she did not want to take home or shower with kisses and an abundance of love. The family finds comfort in their unwavering belief in the knowledge that Lillian is finally reunited with her husband Francis and her son Mark. Her family will honor and commemorate her life at a private time. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Lillian’s Mass of Christian Burial and Celebration of Life, which will commence on Wednesday, October 30, at 12:00 p.m. at Mary, Mother of Our Savior Parish, Lourdes Campus, 2222 Genesee St. There will be an opportunity to greet the family at the conclusion of the service. For those unable to attend, the Mass will be livestreamed at https://www.youtube.com/@JoeSalernoOLOL. In honor of Lillian, the family requests that any donations in her name be directed to The Sandbox at https://gotsandbox.org/Scholars/, where her legacy of giving will continue; envelopes will also be made available at the service. A private graveside burial will take place, followed by a reception at Symeon’s on Commercial Drive in Yorkville. This tribute to Lillian’s life was lovingly written by her family.

Lillian Susan Zongrone

May 31, 1935 - October 19, 2024