Mrs. Marie (Eadecola) Pristera

Mrs. Marie (Eadecola) Pristera, age 84, went home to her Lord on Saturday, January 31, 2015. Her family attended to her every need and was present at the time of her passing. Born in Rome on October 12, 1930, Marie was the daughter of the late Frank and Magdeline “Nellie” (Bottini) Eadecola. Raised and educated locally, she attended T.R. Proctor High School. On June 27, 1953 she married Vincent J. Pristera with whom she shared 61 years in a loving, respectful relationship; they were best friends, united in heart and soul. During her working years, Marie’s commitment, reliability, and attention to detail were the core of her strong work ethic. She was employed by the General Electric Company as an assembler at the French Road and Broad Street locations. She also worked for 43 years as a member of the office staff at Dino’s Sausage & Meat Company, retiring in 2012. During her retirement, Marie benefitted from the blessing of watching over her great-grandchildren, an occasion which gave her great joy. For Marie, her family was her world. She and Vinny were self-sacrificing parents and wonderful grandparents who supported all their grandchildren’s activities and sporting events. Marie was also an exceptional daughter, caring for her elderly mother who lived to be over 100 years old. She was an honest woman, determined and independent, yet able to display so much love. She cherished family dinners, celebrations, and holidays with her loved ones. To her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, Marie passed the torch of lessons learned from her struggles and successes so they could carry on the values and family traditions of her Italian heritage that enriched her life… and keep her memory alive. She was blessed with a beautiful family that made her very proud. Marie did the best she could to help others and was always supportive and ready to lend a hand. She was favored with many friendships and retained the art of visiting and hosting reciprocal parties at each other’s homes. As a leisure diversion, she tried her luck at games of chance. She was a devout Catholic and attended weekly Mass, always arriving early to reflect and pray. She was past president of the Christian Women’s Association, a devotee of the St. Anthony Novena, and a volunteer, along with her husband, at parish events, including the annual St. Cosma & St. Damiano festival. Marie is survived by her husband, Vinny; her daughter and son-in-law, Denise and James Giruzzi of Frankfort; her son and daughter-in-law, Vincent F. and Gina Pristera of New Hartford; her grandchildren, who affectionately knew her as “Grandma Rie”, Danielle L. and Ryan McEwen, James V. Giruzzi and fiancée Gianna Latella, Brianna L. Pristera, and Krista N. Pristera. Always close to her heart was the memory of her granddaughter, Ashley Nicole Pristera, who passed away on November 29, 1988. She also leaves her adored great-grandchildren, twins Robert James, and Giuliana Magdeline “Giugu”. Her extended family includes her many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins; aunts, Helen Gerdano, and Antoinette Bottini; in-laws, Lawrence “Larry” and Elizabeth Pristera, Theresa Pristera; and the most wonderful friends and ‘comares’, Marie and Dan Corleto. As her family grew they came to know the love of additional “in-laws”, Salvatore Siracusa, Sharon McEwen, and Alice, Tom, and Mike Ellis. Marie also shared a great love and special closeness with her family canine Bella. She was predeceased by her sister, Dolores Eadecola; her husband’s parents, Anthony and Antoinette (Peluso) Pristera; and in-laws, Paul and Angeline Pristera, Carmen Pristera, and Jennie and Fred Bachmann. The Pristera family was blessed with the friendship and concern of many special people, including Dr. Atul Butala and the wonderful staff of the Regional Cancer Center, especially Annie; Dr. Mathew Ulahannan; the staff of Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc. memorably Jenny, Ann, and Irene; Father Anthony P. LaFache, Carla Giruzzi Keena, Tom Marrotta, Antoinette Ferrucci, Nermina Guso, Frank Giruzzi, Yelena Tarasevich, Perry and Laura Jacobs. Visitation will be held Wednesday from 4-7 at the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave. By family request please omit floral offerings. Marie’s funeral service and Celebration of Life will commence on Thursday 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 offered by Rev. Abe Esper. Her immediate family will accompany her to her place of rest in St. Agnes Cemetery.