Louise Terese DiLeva

SCHENECTADY -Louise Terese DiLeva, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend died at home on Monday, November 29, 2021, cradled in the arms of her daughter Sylvana and surrounded by her loving children and grandchildren. Louise was born in Schenectady, NY on January 1, 1931, and was the daughter of the late Joseph and Aurelia Lazzari. She graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School and Albany Business College. She was a firm believer in the importance of higher education and worked hard to make sure that each of her nine children attended and graduated from college. When time permitted, she practiced what she preached and enrolled in many additional courses in real estate, accounting, business tax and finance. In November of 1952, Louise married her high school sweetheart, the late Nicholas DiLeva. Together they dedicated their entire lives to their nine children, attending every sporting and school event. Louise was a natural entrepreneur, and together with her loving husband, they owned and operated two Schenectady businesses on Broadway. When she wasn’t working, she was hosting family dinners, babysitting her grandchildren, going to church, or giving advice on how her daughters, specifically Sylvana, could try to make their hair more beautiful. We were blessed with two parents that worked endlessly to provide for all nine of us with a catholic education both in schooling and in religious upbringing. Nick and Louise operated four independent businesses and several real-estate properties. Nick was the proprietor of Nick’s Bait Shop for 56 years and DiLeva Ceramic Tile. Louise operated a religious store “The Madonna Shop” for 32 years. Together, to help educate their nine children, they invested in real- estate and rented mostly to single women with children. Louise did whatever she could to better the living conditions of these struggling families without reservation or judgment. She was an advocate for Pro-Life, the poor, and the disabled. There was no greater advocate for the veterans of our country than Louise, as her way of honoring all who served especially her father and her beloved brothers Max and Michael. Louise developed a sincere friendship with the Mount Carmel Church Monsignor Spina that lasted their entire life and became the foundation for her lifelong faith and dedication to the Catholic Church and the Blessed Virgin Mary. Louise was a fierce advocate and protector of all of her children. When her oldest daughter Tara was hospitalized weeks before college graduation and given Last Rites for a severe blood poisoning infection, Louise brought her home to take care of her and nurse her back to health. In order to ensure that her daughter would graduate, Louise wrote and submitted Tara’s final paper, all while never leaving Tara’s side. Tara got an A on that paper, graduated, and had a miraculous recovery. This story has been shared time and time again through the years as a testimony to the power of prayer and our mother’s resilience to do whatever she can for her children and grandchildren. Louise’s wish for all of us is best expressed in the words she wrote to one of her grandchildren. “I hope that my short letter will always give you comfort, joy, and blessings that I send to you every day. I’m asking God to open all doors for you to enjoy your life.” Louise is predeceased by her loving husband Nicholas of 55 years; her beloved parents; her siblings Max, Michael, Laura and Mary; her in-laws; her best friend Margie; and many beloved nieces and nephews. She is survived by her loving children, Anthony (Erin), Tara (Joe), Aura (Peter), Mari, Nicki (Denny), Luisa (Barry), David (Jane), Nicholas, Sylvana (Jimmy). She will also be missed by her grandchildren, Kristopher, Bryan, Peter, Joey, Nicholas, Hunter, Blake, River, Brandon, Christina, David, Joshua, John, Ava, Tara, Sophia and Nina. She will also be missed by her Great Grandchildren, Luke, Julie, Brian, Paul, Giulia, Henry and a great grandson soon to be born. All of us will miss her homemade gnocchi, fresh sauce, pizza, Italian cookies and apple pie. Our family was truly blessed by the care and respect given to our mother and we would like to extend a most special thank you to our mother’s doctors, Dr. Brian Navarro, Dr. Courtney Bellomo, and Dr. David Coppola and his entire office. Their patience and steadfast care over the past several years will never be forgotten. In addition, we would like to thank the many aides that assisted us with our mom’s care especially Ruth, Destiny, Jasmine, Mari and Jane DiLeva. Additionally, we are grateful to all of the staff at the Albany Medical Center, including but not limited to the staff of the Emergency Department and the E4 wing for their diligent care. Finally, we would like to express our gratitude to Community Hospice for enabling us to bring our mother home for her final days. When visiting our mom, you never said goodbye without her blessing you with the sign of the cross on your forehead. We will carry those blessings and all of the sacrifices that she made for her children for the rest of our lives. The DiLeva family is requesting everyone in attendance to wear a mask. Relatives and friends are invited and may call at St. John the Evangelist Church, Union Street, on Saturday from 10 am until 12:45 pm. A Mass will be celebrated at 1 pm. Interment to follow in Sts. Cyril & Method Cemetery, Rotterdam. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to our family friend, 15-year-old Gabriel Zullo who has been in a courageous battle against bone cancer. Well, wishes and contributions can be sent to Gabriel Zullo, 6172 Hawes Road, Altamont, NY 12009.

Louise Terese DiLeva

January 1, 1931 - November 29, 2021