Obituary for Lillian Rose Pierorazio
Lillian Rose Pierorazio, daughter of Pasquale and Aurora De Santis, was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and aunt, who was born on July 11, 1920 and passed away peacefully on January 4, 2023 at the age of 102. She was married to Joseph, for 76 years, before he predeceased her in 2018.
Our mom had an indomitable spirit and was a liberated woman, before the phrase was even coined. She raised four children while working her whole life and at the end of each day, there was always a hot meal on the table for dinner. Mom was simply incredible. When times were tough, she was tougher. When something had to be done, she did it. When someone needed a helping hand, she was there. When someone needed to hear the truth, she spoke it. She was strong, determined, hardworking, resilient, realistic and wise. When she was a child, her father, Pasquale, remarked, “If she was a boy, she would be President!”
Over the years, Mom had many different jobs, but her two favorites were working as a switchboard operator for the Yonkers Board of Education and her last job, working at the Coyne Park Senior Citizen Center where she was large and in charge. At Coyne Park, she developed programs with the local Veterans and honored them yearly, brought in guest speakers and arranged a multitude of classes for the seniors. However, her pride and joy was working hand in hand with the principal and teachers of School 21, in developing an Intergenerational Program which paired 3rd grade students with a “senior buddy” once a week. Mom loved the children and ramped up the program with special parties at Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and a Talent Show in June. It was a tremendous success for all involved. And Mom always added her special touch…delicious, homemade, baked treats and fresh, hot brewed coffee for the adults!
When Dad passed away, Mom decided to move to Coral Gables, FL and took up residence at The Palace, an independent living facility and close to family. At 98, finally retired and still full of life, somewhat tentatively, she embraced the change, made lots of new friends, got involved in many new activities and worked out every day in the gym. She loved people and they loved her back. When she realized that new people were moving into the Palace and it wasn’t always easy for everyone to get to know each other, she started writing a column for the weekly Palace Newsletter entitled “Palace Personalities.” At an age, where change doesn’t come easily, Mom adapted and thrived. In her new home, she also became an avid Miami Heat Basketball fan and loved going to home games and cheering for her team. More than that, she loved going to watch her great grandchildren, Lucas, Hailey, Aidan and Ava perform at school sporting events, music concerts and plays.
Mom was a beautiful woman who loved fashion and dressing up with all the accessories. She had a warm heart for all those who faltered and needed a helping hand, but had no patience for fools. She was the bedrock of our family and will always remain in our hearts. Her genes appear to have surfaced in some of the younger females in our family so she will live on in her progeny.
Lillian Rose, who was predeceased by her sister, Angela (Patsy) Ciriello and brothers Peter and Vito (Mary), will be warmly remembered by her sisters, Ida (Carmine) Lippolis and Loretta (Albert) Martinello. Her memory will be cherished by her daughters, Olivia (Ron) Rothstein and Phyllis (David) Shakib, her sons, Joseph (Carole) Pierorazio and Bernard (Martina) Pierorazio as well as her grandchildren, David (Patty) Rothstein, Dana (Greg) Brenner, Phillip (Sarah) Pierorazio, Michael (Jillian) Pierorazio, Erik Pierorazio, Erin (Chris) Thiagarajah, Keith (Bonnie) Shakib, Darren (Anne) Shakib and Monnie June (Denise) Heisler. Lillian was a loving great grandmother to Lucas and Hailey Brenner, Aidan and Ava Rothstein, Kaye Lillianna and Cameron Aurora Pierorazio, Lillian and Chloe Pierorazio and Elena and Charlotte Thiagarajah. In addition, she had numerous nieces and nephews who loved her dearly.
Services will be held at the Westchester Funeral Home, Eastchester, NY. on Wednesday, January 11th, 2:00pm - 8:00pm. A funeral mass will be held at Church of the Immaculate Conception, 53 Winter Hill Road, Tuckahoe, 10707, on Thursday, January 12th, at 10:30am.
to view a LIVESTREAM of the Funeral Mass click the link below:
https://icaparish.org/
In lieu of flowers,
Donations can be made in memory of Lillian Rose Pierorazio either to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org
or to Penn Urology through the Kiernan Family Fund at Penn Medicine. Go to: https://giving.aws.cloud.upenn.edu/fund?program=MEDandfund=605316 (please note “in memory of Lillian Pierorazio Checks should be made payable to “Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania” and mailed to Penn Medicine Development, Attn: Rhiannon Nolt, 3535 Market Street, Suite 750, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Our mom had an indomitable spirit and was a liberated woman, before the phrase was even coined. She raised four children while working her whole life and at the end of each day, there was always a hot meal on the table for dinner. Mom was simply incredible. When times were tough, she was tougher. When something had to be done, she did it. When someone needed a helping hand, she was there. When someone needed to hear the truth, she spoke it. She was strong, determined, hardworking, resilient, realistic and wise. When she was a child, her father, Pasquale, remarked, “If she was a boy, she would be President!”
Over the years, Mom had many different jobs, but her two favorites were working as a switchboard operator for the Yonkers Board of Education and her last job, working at the Coyne Park Senior Citizen Center where she was large and in charge. At Coyne Park, she developed programs with the local Veterans and honored them yearly, brought in guest speakers and arranged a multitude of classes for the seniors. However, her pride and joy was working hand in hand with the principal and teachers of School 21, in developing an Intergenerational Program which paired 3rd grade students with a “senior buddy” once a week. Mom loved the children and ramped up the program with special parties at Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and a Talent Show in June. It was a tremendous success for all involved. And Mom always added her special touch…delicious, homemade, baked treats and fresh, hot brewed coffee for the adults!
When Dad passed away, Mom decided to move to Coral Gables, FL and took up residence at The Palace, an independent living facility and close to family. At 98, finally retired and still full of life, somewhat tentatively, she embraced the change, made lots of new friends, got involved in many new activities and worked out every day in the gym. She loved people and they loved her back. When she realized that new people were moving into the Palace and it wasn’t always easy for everyone to get to know each other, she started writing a column for the weekly Palace Newsletter entitled “Palace Personalities.” At an age, where change doesn’t come easily, Mom adapted and thrived. In her new home, she also became an avid Miami Heat Basketball fan and loved going to home games and cheering for her team. More than that, she loved going to watch her great grandchildren, Lucas, Hailey, Aidan and Ava perform at school sporting events, music concerts and plays.
Mom was a beautiful woman who loved fashion and dressing up with all the accessories. She had a warm heart for all those who faltered and needed a helping hand, but had no patience for fools. She was the bedrock of our family and will always remain in our hearts. Her genes appear to have surfaced in some of the younger females in our family so she will live on in her progeny.
Lillian Rose, who was predeceased by her sister, Angela (Patsy) Ciriello and brothers Peter and Vito (Mary), will be warmly remembered by her sisters, Ida (Carmine) Lippolis and Loretta (Albert) Martinello. Her memory will be cherished by her daughters, Olivia (Ron) Rothstein and Phyllis (David) Shakib, her sons, Joseph (Carole) Pierorazio and Bernard (Martina) Pierorazio as well as her grandchildren, David (Patty) Rothstein, Dana (Greg) Brenner, Phillip (Sarah) Pierorazio, Michael (Jillian) Pierorazio, Erik Pierorazio, Erin (Chris) Thiagarajah, Keith (Bonnie) Shakib, Darren (Anne) Shakib and Monnie June (Denise) Heisler. Lillian was a loving great grandmother to Lucas and Hailey Brenner, Aidan and Ava Rothstein, Kaye Lillianna and Cameron Aurora Pierorazio, Lillian and Chloe Pierorazio and Elena and Charlotte Thiagarajah. In addition, she had numerous nieces and nephews who loved her dearly.
Services will be held at the Westchester Funeral Home, Eastchester, NY. on Wednesday, January 11th, 2:00pm - 8:00pm. A funeral mass will be held at Church of the Immaculate Conception, 53 Winter Hill Road, Tuckahoe, 10707, on Thursday, January 12th, at 10:30am.
to view a LIVESTREAM of the Funeral Mass click the link below:
https://icaparish.org/
In lieu of flowers,
Donations can be made in memory of Lillian Rose Pierorazio either to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org
or to Penn Urology through the Kiernan Family Fund at Penn Medicine. Go to: https://giving.aws.cloud.upenn.edu/fund?program=MEDandfund=605316 (please note “in memory of Lillian Pierorazio Checks should be made payable to “Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania” and mailed to Penn Medicine Development, Attn: Rhiannon Nolt, 3535 Market Street, Suite 750, Philadelphia, PA 19104