Ersilia Benacquista DiCarlo

May 28, 1925 - January 23, 2019

NISKAYUNA – Ersilia DiCarlo, 93, entered peacefully into the Arms of the Lord on Wednesday, January 23, 2019. Ersilia was born on May 28, 1925 in Fontechiari, Province of Frosinone, Italy, the daughter of the late Filomena DiCocco, Francesco Benacquista and the step-daughter of Filomena DiCocco. She immigrated to America in 1963 and was employed for 35 years in the housekeeping department at Ellis Hospital. She was a beautiful woman who embraced the simple pleasures in life; spending time with her family; traveling home to Italy, working in her garden; making wine; and sharing her Italian heritage. She was a devoted communicant of St. Anthony’s Church and worked tirelessly at the annual feasta. Ersilia was predeceased by her beloved husband, Guido DiCarlo, in 1975; devoted son-in-law, Franco Panetta; siblings, Sisto Benacquista and his wife Maria Panetta, Maria Benacquista and her husband Antonio Gizzi, Lorenzo Benacquista, Adelina Benacquista and her husband Pietro DiCocco and Filomena Benacquista; sister and brothers-in-law, Rosa DiCarlo and her husband Gaetano Ferrera, Raffaele Capoccia, Giustino Capoccia, Domenico DiCarlo, Augusto DiCarlo and John Zurlo. She is survived by her loving children, Marianne Panetta, Olga (Rolando) DiCocco, Luigi (Mia) DiCarlo; grandchildren, Franco (Tara) Panetta, Andrew Panetta, Anthony (Brittany) DiCocco, Melissa DiCocco and Laura DiCarlo; great-granddaughters, Cristina and Daniela Panetta and Giovanna DiCocco; sisters and brothers-in-law, Gina Pallante, Arcomeo Benacquista, Italia Capoccia, Angela Capoccia, Luigina and Giuseppe Di Legge and Costanza Zurlo; many nieces, nephews and cousins also survive. Services will be held on Monday at 10 am from the Rossi & Ditoro Funeral Home, 501 Union Street, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am at St. Anthony’s Church, Seward Place. Entombment will follow in Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery, Niskayuna. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the Rossi & Ditoro Funeral Home on Sunday from 2 to 5 pm. The family kindly requests no flowers be sent, those wishing may make a memorial contribution in Ersilia’s memory to St. Anthony’s Church Restoration Fund.