Carmela Filanova Sinicropi

Mrs.Carmela Sinicropi nee Carmina Filanova, age 98, of Glen Avenue, Amsterdam, NY passed away with her loving family by her side on August 15, 2012 at the Wilkinson Residential Health Care Facility. She was born on August 31, 1913 in Washington, D.C., a daughter of the late Vincenzo Filanova and Francesca Galati Filanova. At the age of 2, she and her parents went to Varapodio in Reggio Calabria, Italy where she grew up. She remained in Italy until 1939 when she returned to the United States. She lived in Amsterdam, NY for 75 years. During her 35 years of employment, Carmela worked as a sewing machine operator, first for Stanley Parker and then for Brier of Amsterdam. She retired in 1988. Carmela was a long standing member of St. Michael's Church / Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church and Saint Anthony's Auxiliary. She had various activities which she enjoyed over the many years of her life. These included: her vegetable and flower gardens; cooking and baking, especially her famous Italian lemon cookies and guanti; crocheting blankets for family members; playing cards with family; watching her grandchildren play sports; vacationing with family members; and, visiting with her many friends. Above all, she loved and cherished her family. Her joy and enthusiasm for life, friendly and outgoing disposition, positive grateful attitude, warm and affectionate nature, words of wisdom, sense of humor, and steadfast faith in God have inspired those whose lives she touched. Carmela was predeceased by her husband, Rocco Sinicropi 1993 whom she married in Italy on February 23, 1933; her son, Carmen Sinicropi 1987; and her sisters, Vincenza Votano of Australia, Maria Macri and Lucia Muscara of Italy. Carmela is survived by: her two beloved daughters, Mary Sollecito of Amsterdam, NY and Suzanne Sinicropi-Wallace Jack of Saratoga Springs, NY; her dear sister and brothers, Catherine Sinicropi Gallucio, Carmine Frances Filanova, and VincenzoHerma Siciliano all of Amsterdam, NY; her 8 cherished grandchildren, Michael Sherry Sollecito, Salvatore Sollecito, Tina Brian Blakely, Diane Rick Sollecito Campos, Carmie Peter Sollecito Prichard, Mary Chris Michael Garrison,; CJ Irene Sinicropi; and Jennifer Andrew Iannotti; her 13 great grandchildren, whom she adored: Geena Marie and Michael Dominic Sollecito; Tore and Dre Sollecito; Michael and Christopher Garrison; Marcus, Giuliana, and Michael Paul Pritchard; Christina and Andew Iannotti; and Carina and Sophie Sinicropi; and several nieces and nephews, as well as numerous great nieces and nephews. Friends and family are invited and may call at Betz, Rossi, and Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Ave., Amsterdam, NY on Friday, August 17th 2012 from 4:00 to 8:00 pm. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday August 18, 2012 at 8:15A.M. at the Funeral Home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:15A.M. at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Roman Catholic Church, 39 St. John St., Amsterdam with Father Victor Polito as celebrant and Father Pascal Iannotti as concelebrant. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery Ft. Johnson, NY. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to Wilkinson's Health Care Facility's Activities Department, 4988 Route 30, Amsterdam, NY; Community Hospice of Amsterdam, 246 Manny Corners Rd., Amsterdam, NY; or Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 39 Saint John St., Amsterdam, NY