Elizabeth "Betty" (Fraccola) Rabice

Mrs. Elisa “Betty” (Fraccola) Rabice, age 93, of the Presbyterian Residential Community in New Hartford, passed away on Monday, June 23, 2008 at the Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare Center with her family by her side. Born in Utica on June 4, 1915, Elisa was the daughter of the late Louis and Julia (Salerno) Fraccola. She was raised and educated locally. On November 10, 1945 she was joined in the sacrament of marriage to Patrick Rabice who passed away on April 7, 1977. A caring commitment to family was the hallmark of their 31-year relationship. Betty was employed as a seamstress at various manufacturing companies, and she lastly worked at Faxton and St. Luke’s Hospitals. A woman of great strength of character, she had an independent soul. She was a supportive mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother involved in all life's momentous events. She was proud of her accomplishments of 93 years and lived each moment to the very end of her life with determination. A faithful volunteer, she offered her time to the Central NY Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired and the Resource Center for Independent Living. Betty was proud of her participation in the annual parish Italian festivals. During her leisure time, she pursued her passion of crocheting and bestowed many afghans to her family and friends. She was a parishioner of St. Mary of Mt. Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Parish and a member of the St. Anne’s Society. Betty is survived by her daughters and son-in-law, Julie D’Apice of Queens, NYC, and Mary and Peter DeJoseph of Cedar Lake; her grandchildren, Joelle and Jodi De Joseph of Raleigh, NC, Maria and Neil Van Kerkhove of London, England; Alisa and Roma DeJoseph of Raleigh, NC; and Roma’s twin brother, Ruslan, of Moscow, Russia, who admired Betty as a grandmother; and her great-grandchildren, Giovanni and Luca DeJoseph; Joey DeJoseph; as well as the anticipation of a 4th great-grandchild. Survivors also include her sisters, Flora Rabice of Clinton, and Marie Carzo of Utica, who along with Betty were affectionately known as the “trio”; her brother and sister-in-law, Joseph and Ruth Fraccola of Sacramento, CA; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and brother-in-law, Joe Kupiec. Betty was also blessed with many friends throughout her life. She was predeceased by her sisters and brother-in-law, Anna and Albert Petronio, and Ida Kupiec; her brothers-in-law, Phil Rabice and Joe Carzo; members of the Rabice family of her late husband; and Mary and Peewee DeJoseph who she loved as her extended family. The family offers heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Al Shaheen, Dr. Dilip Kachare, the 2nd floor staff at the Presbyterian Residential Community, the 5th floor nurses and staff of the Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare Center. All of these professionals offered exceptional care and support to Betty and her family. Visitation will be held Wednesday (today) from 4:00-7:00 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 Betty’s honor to the family enabling them to establish a scholarship fund; envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Betty’s funeral service will commence on Thursday morning at 10:30 from the funeral home and at 11:30 at St. Mary of Mt. Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Parish where her Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Interment will take place in Calvary Cemetery at the convenience of the family.

Elizabeth "Betty" (Fraccola) Rabice

June 4, 1915 - June 23, 2008