Florence Congetta (DiPillo) De Pastene

Mrs. Florence Congetta (DiPillo) De Pastene, age 84, formerly of Jefferson Ave., Utica, passed away on Tuesday, December 13, 2005, at the St. Luke's Home. Her family was by her side at the time of her passing. Born in Ossining, NY on July 21, 1921, Florence was the daughter of the late Vincenzo "Vincent" and Giovanna "Jenny" (Bompani) DiPillo. Raised and educated locally, she was a graduate of T.R. Proctor High School. On November 30, 1940, she married Frank A. De Pastene, with whom she has shared a 65-year union, one that was filled with the couple's unconditional love for one another. In the 1956's, Florence attended the Utica School of Beauty Culture and became a licensed beautician. For more than 30 years she was successfully self-employed as a hairdresser in her own shop, the Cut 'N' Curl, located in East Utica. She was a longtime member of the National Hairdresser's Guild and at one time had served as president of that organization. Mrs. De Pastene was a woman of unshakeable determination, a great strength of character and a steadfast spirituality. She was an excellent role model for fulfilling the responsibilities and treasuring the joys of being a wife and mother. She was admired and respected for the selfless love she bestowed upon her family and friends. In fact, she considered it her greatest accomplishment that she raised such loving and supportive children. Her compassionate heart was also the source for her lifelong love of animals and pets. Among her favored pastimes, Florence especially loved crocheting, and over the years she created many beautiful and useful keepsakes. She also greatly enjoyed bowling. A devout communicant of Historic Old St. John's Church, Florence was at one time a member of the Legion of Mary. Mrs. De Pastene is survived by her husband, Frank; her three children and their spouses, Frank De Pastene, Jr. of CO, Joanne M. and Michael T. Dziura, and James and Kim De Pastene, all of Utica; and her grandchildren, Mike De Pastene and David De Pastene, and their mother, Donna, and Michael and Nicole Dziura, Megan Dziura, Mallory Dziura, James De Pastene, Jr., Christopher De Pastene and Ali De Pastene. With great anticipation and joy, Florence was awaiting the birth of her first great-grandchild. Mrs. De Pastene is also survived by her sister, Lucy DeMarco of Utica; a number of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins, including many who reside in Ossining, NY; her in-laws, Yolanda Sisti, Terri Rizzo, Mitzie and John DePerno and Lucy Marino; and her loyal and longtime friends, Nick Coluzzi and his late wife, Jean. She was predeceased by her sister, Viola L. Monopoli, with whom she shared a loving closeness, and Viola's husband, Joseph Monopoli, Sr., Anthony DeMarco, Roseanne and Dean Perta, Fred Sisti, Bill Rizzo and Tony Marino. For an extensive period of time, Florence was cared for with great devotion by the staff of the Eden Park Nursing Home and her family will remain ever grateful to them. More recently she has been a resident of the St. Luke's Home, where she not only received excellent care but where she also appreciated the wonderful environment and the chapel where she loved to pray. Visitation will be held today (Friday) from 5-8 at the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave. Florence's funeral will commence on Saturday morning at 9:00 from the funeral home and at 10:00 at Historic Old St. John's Church, where her Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Entombment will take place in the Calvary Mausoleum at the convenience of the family.

Florence Congetta (DiPillo) De Pastene

July 21, 1921 - December 13, 2005