Mrs. Roccotelle M. "Tillie" (Zito) Pisani

N. UTICA - Mrs. Roccotelle M. “Tillie” (Zito) Pisani, age 96, passed away on Saturday, April 12, 2025, with her loving family by her side. Born in Utica on April 24, 1928, Tillie was the daughter of the late Louis L. and Josephine M. (Columbro) Zito. She was raised, educated, and built her life in Utica. She was a proud graduate of T.R. Proctor High School/Class of 1946. On June 14, 1947, at St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Church in Laurenzana, Italy, Tillie united in marriage with Joseph C. “Joe” Pisani. Tillie and Joe honored their vows and imparted their love by placing each other on a pedestal, each one always thinking of the other, first. The couple shared 65 years together, inseparable and in love, prior to Joe’s passing on April 25, 2013. Beginning in 1948, Tillie began her career with First Bank and Trust (later Marine Midland/HSBC Bank), retiring in 1988. She was devoted to her family, faith, and country. First and foremost in her life was her all-embracing devotion to her husband, son, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Tillie traveled every year with her beloved husband to his homeland in Italy to visit with family and friends. Together, they also journeyed throughout Europe to neighboring France, Germany, and Switzerland. In later years, she enjoyed scenic trips closer to home, calling on friends and family along the way. She was a communicant of St. Mary of Mt. Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Parish. Tillie is survived by her son, Salvatore Pisani (his late wife, Marybeth Pisani - 2016); grandchildren, Andrea and husband Peter Aprahamian, and Joseph and Rebecca (Kardash) Pisani; and great-grandchildren, Salvatore D. Pisani, and Isabella J. Pisani. Also left to keep her memory alive are sister-in-law, Carmela Martoccia, Rosa (Pisani) Fiordelisi, and Grazia Pisani, all of Italy; and dear extended family, Valerie and Donald Smith, and Carol and Madison Getman. She was predeceased by her sister, Mary A. “Marie” (Zito) Guarnieri. The entire Pisani family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the wonderful team, at the Sunset Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Boonville, particularly the C wing team, for their outstanding, highly attentive, and compassionate care they extended to Tillie and family. The family will honor and commemorate Tillie’s life in a private gathering. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Tillie’s Mass of Christian Burial and Celebration of Life which will commence on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary of Mt. Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Parish, 648 Jay St. There will be an opportunity to greet the family at the conclusion of Mass. Entombment will take place in Resurrection Chapel Mausoleum at Holy Trinity Cemetery. This obituary was written by Tillie herself, just a few years ago.

Mrs. Roccotelle M. "Tillie" (Zito) Pisani

April 24, 1928 - April 12, 2025