Obituary for Eleanor DeGennaro
Eleanor DeGennaro
September 26, 1923–December 30, 2016
Middletown, NY
Eleanor “Elli” DeGennaro, a resident of Middletown for over 60 years, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Friday, December 30, 2016 at St. Joseph’s Place at Bon Secours Hospital in Port Jervis. She was 93.
The daughter of the late Nick and Hazel Lewis Sebia, she was born on September 26, 1923 in Lattimer, PA. Elli married Francisco “Frank” J. DeGennaro on March 11, 1944, and they shared 58 years together. She and Frank founded the Redwood Tennis and Swim Club, and they were both longtime members of Webb Horton Memorial Presbyterian Church. As an avid bowler and tennis player, Elli won many trophies for her skills. The Sunday New York Times crossword puzzle never stood a chance against her keen intelligence, and neither did anyone who disagreed with her. She also acted as a staunch supporter of equal rights her entire life. When Elli wasn’t dancing, writing poetry, or penning impassioned editorial letters to the Times Herald-Record, she enjoyed rooting for the Yankees, cheering for her favorite world tennis player, or reading one of her usual stack of books, often while at the Jersey Shore with her family.
Elli was predeceased by her brothers, Nicky and Donald; her husband, Frank; and her son Douglas. She is survived by a sister, Dorothy Weitzel of Texas; a son, Keith DeGennaro, and his fiancée, Michele Tobin, of Middletown, NY; a daughter, Dariel DeGennaro Woltz, and her husband, Michael, of Westfield, NY; two granddaughters: Alyssa DeGennaro of Fort Mohave, AZ, and Nicole DeGennaro of Chester, NY; and four nieces and nephews: Valerie Zarate and Ronnie Schero of Texas, and Donita Stromgren and Karlyn Herbert of California.
The family would like to thank the staff and caregivers at St. Joseph’s Place and St. Teresa’s Nursing Home for the love and attention they provided to Elli in her later years.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 pm on Friday, January 6, 2017 at Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home, Inc., 130 Highland Avenue, Middletown, NY 10940. A Funeral Service will be held at 10 am on Saturday, January 7, 2017 at the funeral home. Burial will follow in the family plot in Wallkill Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the direction of Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home, Inc., www.applebee-mcphillips.com.
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September 26, 1923–December 30, 2016
Middletown, NY
Eleanor “Elli” DeGennaro, a resident of Middletown for over 60 years, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Friday, December 30, 2016 at St. Joseph’s Place at Bon Secours Hospital in Port Jervis. She was 93.
The daughter of the late Nick and Hazel Lewis Sebia, she was born on September 26, 1923 in Lattimer, PA. Elli married Francisco “Frank” J. DeGennaro on March 11, 1944, and they shared 58 years together. She and Frank founded the Redwood Tennis and Swim Club, and they were both longtime members of Webb Horton Memorial Presbyterian Church. As an avid bowler and tennis player, Elli won many trophies for her skills. The Sunday New York Times crossword puzzle never stood a chance against her keen intelligence, and neither did anyone who disagreed with her. She also acted as a staunch supporter of equal rights her entire life. When Elli wasn’t dancing, writing poetry, or penning impassioned editorial letters to the Times Herald-Record, she enjoyed rooting for the Yankees, cheering for her favorite world tennis player, or reading one of her usual stack of books, often while at the Jersey Shore with her family.
Elli was predeceased by her brothers, Nicky and Donald; her husband, Frank; and her son Douglas. She is survived by a sister, Dorothy Weitzel of Texas; a son, Keith DeGennaro, and his fiancée, Michele Tobin, of Middletown, NY; a daughter, Dariel DeGennaro Woltz, and her husband, Michael, of Westfield, NY; two granddaughters: Alyssa DeGennaro of Fort Mohave, AZ, and Nicole DeGennaro of Chester, NY; and four nieces and nephews: Valerie Zarate and Ronnie Schero of Texas, and Donita Stromgren and Karlyn Herbert of California.
The family would like to thank the staff and caregivers at St. Joseph’s Place and St. Teresa’s Nursing Home for the love and attention they provided to Elli in her later years.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 pm on Friday, January 6, 2017 at Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home, Inc., 130 Highland Avenue, Middletown, NY 10940. A Funeral Service will be held at 10 am on Saturday, January 7, 2017 at the funeral home. Burial will follow in the family plot in Wallkill Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the direction of Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home, Inc., www.applebee-mcphillips.com.
To plant a tree in memory of Eleanor DeGennaro, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Visitation
Friday
6
Jan
4:00 PM
- 7:00 PM
Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home
130 Highland Ave.
Middletown, NY 10940
Graveside
Saturday
7
Jan
10:00 AM
- 11:00 AM
Wallkill Cemetery
160 Midway Road
Middletown, NY 10940
Service
Saturday
7
Jan
10:00 AM
- 11:00 AM
Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home
130 Highland Ave.
Middletown, NY 10940
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