Mrs. Stella M. (Salerno) Smith

WHITESBORO - Mrs. Stella M. (Salerno) Smith, age 90, went home to join those who went before her when she passed away on Friday, September 29, 2017 in the comfort of her home with her loving grandchildren and great-grandchildren by her side. Born in Utica on January 20, 1927, Stella was the daughter of the late Joseph & Erma (Bovee) Salerno. She was raised and educated locally. In 1945 she married Alcide “John” Smith with whom she shared 41 years. They were a close-knit couple with hearts of gold. They were the keystone of their family and all who entered her home were embraced by all the love they could ever want or need. Her beloved John passed away on April 9, 1986. As many women of her era, Stella was employed by the General Electric Company at the Broad Street Radio Receiver Plant where she worked as an assembler for numerous years. But it was her vocation as matriarch that she invested the most in and received the most benefits from. Stella devoted all her energy and love to her family and they matched it. She was also blessed with a special bond because generations of loved ones shared her home and it was the way she and John wanted it— the more, the merrier! Sunday dinners and holidays were most important. But even on ordinary days, the stove was always on and you just had to “have some” of what Stella stirred up. Most memorable of all were her Italian cookies which could not be duplicated even though the recipe had been handed down… because Stella’s cookies were sprinkled with her special touch. She enjoyed her household routine: caring for the home, preparing a daily meal, and making sure everyone was okay. She was even-tempered, kind, and generous, and even with its hardships, she felt God graced her with a good life. Stella was a beautiful influence on her children and the proceeding generations. You could always find her with her late daughter Annette, her sister Toni, and her late sister Tina, AKA “The Golden Girls”. They would stop at the Casino, shop at flea markets, and stand in line at the Freihoffer’s Bakery Outlet in Verona to pick up loaves of bread and loads of goodies. In the evening, FOX News was always on. She kept up on current events and she kept hope that the world would get better. Stella enjoyed Bingo at Notre Dame High School. She was a patriotic woman and a member of the Clark Mills American Legion. She and her sister proudly marched in the Legion parades in observance of national holidays. Stella was a strong believer and put her faith in the Lord. She visited shrines and those dedicated to the Blessed Mother were most holy to her. She was a faithful parishioner of Sacred Heart & St. Mary’s Church. Stella was blessed with a son, a daughter, and her husband, all who have preceded her: Annette M. and Richard C. Delahunt, Sr. who both passed in 2016; and Robert Smith in 1964. She left this world amid the broken hearts of her grandchildren who were by her side, but she is now in the presence of her family, and all find comfort with her passing; her grandchildren, Richard C. Jr. and Lori Delahunt, John and Rebecca Delahunt, Michael and Mandy Delahunt, Joelle and Marc C. Fasolo, and Jacqueline Delahunt; her great-grandchildren, Alexis, Johnny, Giavanna, and RJ; Hunter, Brock, and Peyton; Emma, and Brady. Close to her heart was the memory of her great-granddaughter Addison Marie “Addie Girl” Fasolo (2008) and great-great-granddaughter Austin Marie. She also leaves her sister, Antoinette “Toni” Garguilo; her brother and sister-in-law, Pasquale “Pat” and Rosemary Salerno; nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and sister-in-law, Vita Salerno. She was predeceased by her sister and brother-in-law, Christina “Tina” and Daniel Morrison; infant sister, Irene Salerno; brother, Joseph Salerno; friend, Don Golden; brother-in-law, Ellsworth Garguilo; and nephew, Thomas Garguilo. The family extends their appreciation to Stella’s personal physician, Dr. Mathew Ulahannan, for his compassionate care. Since May of this year, Stella was blessed to be in her own home with her grandchildren attending to her until it was necessary for Hospice to assist. Their incredible staff brought comfort to all in their own special way. Lisa, Irene, Justin, Terri, Ann, Melissa, and Social Worker Stephanie made all the difference and will forever be in the hearts of the family. The family will honor and commemorate Stella’s life at a private time. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend her funeral service and Celebration of Life which will commence of Tuesday morning at 10:30 at Sacred Heart & St. Mary’s Church where her Mass of Christian Burial will be offered by Rev. Arthur Krawczenko. The family will receive visitors at the conclusion of Mass. Interment will follow graveside in Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc. online at http://www.hospicecareinc.org; envelopes will be available at the service.

Mrs. Stella M. (Salerno) Smith

January 20, 1927 - September 29, 2017