Mrs. Jennie (Arno) Ficarra

December 2, 1922 - December 11, 2020

UTICA - Mrs. Jennie (Arno) Ficarra, age 98, passed away on Friday, December 11, 2020 with those she loved most in her heart. Born in Elmora, Pennsylvania on December 2, 1922, Jennie was the daughter of the late Michael and Natalie (Ritzo) Arno. She graduated in 1942 from Carrolltown High School in PA. In 1943 she relocated to Utica to be with her brother. She went on to graduate from the Utica Business Comptometer School in 1945 and the Stenotype Secretarial Institute in 1964. On October 12, 1946 she wed Jerry P. Ficarra with whom she shared 51 years engaged in a joyful marriage prior to his passing on January 28, 1998. Jennie worked in the Accounting/Payroll & Auditing Department of the NY Central Railroad which later became Penn Central Railroad for over 23 years, retiring from that position in January 1969. She then worked in the Data Control Department of the Savings Bank of Utica for over 17 years, concluding her working career on June 4, 1985. Education was important to Jennie and she encouraged her daughter, and in turn, she impressed these feelings upon her grandchildren. She was blessed with a disciplined, meticulous, stellar work ethic. A former member of the Sons of Italy Lodge, she was an avid and huge bingo player. She was very crafted in sewing and was also an enthusiastic reader. Jennie practiced her Catholic faith as a communicant of St. Anthony & St. Agnes Church. She trusted in the Lord and prayed to the saints. Jennie is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Mary Lou and Salvatore Pristera; her grandchildren, Jessica and Christopher Goodson, Dr. Adam Pristera and Dr. Kyung Lee, and Ross and Sara Pristera. She also leaves her great-grandchildren, Madison, Mackenzie, and Grant Goodson; Yoona Lee, and Yeona Lee Pristera; and Anna Elise Pristera. She also leaves numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, in-laws; and many special friends. She was predeceased by her sister, Rosemary Johnson; brothers and sister-in-law, Sam Arno, and Michael and Antoinette Arno; and in-laws, Carmen Ficarra, Angelo Ficarra, John and Lena Ficarra, Anthony and Zifa Ficarra, Mildred Ficarro, and Frank and Alicia Ficarra. The family extends their gratitude to the staff of Valley Health Services, Inc. and Director Lisa Betrus for the kind and compassionate care for which the family is appreciative. The family will honor and commemorate Jennie’s life privately. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Jennie’s funeral service and Celebration of Life which will commence on Wednesday morning at 11:00 at St. Anthony & St. Agnes Church where her Mass of Christian Burial will be offered. Face masks covering your nose and mouth are required, and social distancing and contact tracing will be implemented. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Jennie’s name may be directed to St. Anthony & St. Agnes Church online at http://stanthonystagnes.com or by mail to 422 Tilden Avenue Utica, NY 13501. Envelopes will be available at the service. Her Rite of Committal will take place in Calvary Chapel followed by Entombment in Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum. During this time of social distancing that we are all experiencing, please take a moment to connect with Jennie’s family through the “Memories” section of her obituary. Our prayers go out to all as a sign of our continued support.