Elena Gigliotti

Mrs. Elena Gigliotti, age 77, of Utica, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 22, 2006, at the Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare Center with her family and friends by her side. Born in Tomaini, in the province of Catanzaro, Italy, on October 11, 1929, Elena was the daughter of the late Luigi and Angela (Pane) Gigliotti. At a young age, she left her native land and settled in Canada. In 1954, she relocated to Utica. On November 10, 1960 she married Anthony J. “Chick” Gigliotti. As a couple, they worked alongside one another with much dedication and shared a common love for their daughter and her family. Elena and Chick were the co-owners and operators of Gigliotti’s Restaurant, which was located on the corner of Mohawk and Eagle Streets. A true family enterprise, she loved to cook and brought that skill to the establishment. Elena’s fabulous homemade pasta fasula, hot peppers, and other Italian delicacies were enjoyed by many in this community, until she and her husband retired in 1987. The couple shared a 35 year union prior to Chick's passing on December 29, 1995. As a mother, she was an outstanding woman who shared life’s experiences, knowledge, and customs. As a grandmother, she was an amazing source of never-ending love and commitment, and the girls will miss their nani. Special family functions were her life and she was the “glue” that held the family together. A well-loved and respected woman, Elena possessed a great deal of innate wisdom. She was the matriarch and historian of the family, and was blessed with a strong work ethic and a sacrificing nature. She chose to live her life in service to others and was dedicated to her business patrons, friends and neighbors. All these attributes defined her character, and she was admired as a role model. While challenged with enduring health problems, she received the blessings of the technology of kidney dialysis for over 17 years. She was dedicated to the treatment and often referred to it as her ‘job’. Many admired her for her determination and courage. During her leisure time, she enjoyed gardening, canning, knitting, embroidery, crocheting, and watching TV shows Wheel of Fortune and Deal or No Deal. She was a devout and loyal parishioner of St. Mary of Mt. Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Church and a longtime and founding member of the St. Anne's Society. Elena is survived by her cherished daughter and son-in-law, Connie and Marty Forte, III of Utica; and her adored granddaughters, Angela, Regina, and Lucia Forte, all of Utica. In addition, she leaves many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins, especially acknowledging Angie Shaw, and Jackie Marasco-DiBella. Elena was truly a wonderful friend to many, and her daughter is greatful to her mother’s friends and feels it would be remiss not to especially remember Marian Jabor, Lucille Taurisano, and Felix Gigliotti. She was predeceased by her brother, Felice Gigliotti of Italy, and a sister and brother-in-law, Josephine and Arturo Tomaino of Argentina; and her in-laws. A heartfelt thank you is extended to Dr. Charles Eldredge, Dr. Ira Tisch, Dr. Lin, Dr. Christopher Max, Dr. Gorzinski, as well as associates Cheryl Perreira, Barb, Joannie and Valerie. Elena’s family is wholeheartedly grateful to the entire staff of the dialysis unit of the Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare Center who embraced her throughout the years with much love. A special note of gratitude is given to her fellow dialysis patients, Gloria Swiecki and Nate. In keeping with Elena’s wishes, there will be no public visitation. By family request, please omit floral offerings. For those wishing to do so, memorial contributions may be made to the Dialysis Unit at Faxton-St. Luke's Healthcare Center; envelopes will be available at the service. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Elena’s Mass of Christian Burial which will be celebrated on Tuesday afternoon at 1:30 at St. Mary of Mt. Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Parish at Mt. Carmel Church. A prayer or remembrance of Elena would have been so pleasing to her kind soul. Interment will take place at St. Agnes Cemetery at the convenience of the family. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave.

Elena Gigliotti

October 11, 1929 - December 22, 2006