Santina DiCocco

SCHENECTADY – Santina DiCarlo DiCocco, 88, returned to her Lord on Thursday, January 26, 2023, at Ellis Hospital with her loving family at her side after a brief illness from COVID 19. Santina was born and educated in Sora, province of Lazio, Italy, on August 28, 1934, the daughter of the late Angelo and Cristina Serafini DiCarlo. She immigrated to Schenectady in 1966, and went on to a 30 year career at the General Electric Co. in Schenectady, where she was an assembler in generators. At the age of 10, during World War II in Italy she nearly lost her life when her and her cousin and best friend Tommaso found an object in the field they thought was a toy. It was a pipe bomb which exploded and wounded her and Tommaso critically. They both survived after extensive and rudimentary treatment. The shrapnel wounds in her arm and legs were still visible at the time of her passing. The recollection of that day remained embedded in her memory until her final days. Santina with her father were two of the original vendors at the Downtown Schenectady farmers market. She had a warm heart and hard-working hands. Santina took great pride in pursing her passion of being a master gardener; growing and selling her zucchini flowers and braided garlic. Happiest when surrounded by her family, she was an excellent cook, who delighted in preparing and hosting weekly Sunday dinners for her entire family. A woman of strong faith, Santina was a devoted communicant of St. Anthony’s Church, where she spent many hours volunteering at their annual festa. The DiCocco family would like to thank the ICU staff at Ellis Hospital. Santina was predeceased by her loving sister and brother-in-law Maria and Frank Serafini and her loving cousin Tommaso Di Carlo. Santina is survived by her devoted husband of 70 years, Felice whom she married October 15, 1952; and her loving children Catherine DiCocco (Michael) McGuire, Sr., Luigi (Linda) DiCocco and Anna (Paul) Knapick; her adoring grandchildren, Tricia (Mark) Cioni, Michael McGuire, Jr. Katrina (Jason) Olbrycht, Christopher (Megan) Knapick, Bryan (Corinne) Knapick, Dr. Bianca DiCocco, David Knapick, Marina DiCocco, Stella DiCocco, and Anthony Knapick; seven great -grandchildren, Felicia and Sammy Cioni, Olivia Knapick, Jackson and Natalia Olbrycht, and Theodore and Lucas Knapick; many special nieces, nephews and cousins also survive. Relatives and friends are invited to call on Saturday, February 4, 2023, from 9-11 am at St. Luke’s Church, 1247 State Street. A Mass of Christian Burial led by Fr. Dominic Isopo will follow at 11am. Entombment will follow in the DiCocco Family Private Mausoleum at St. Anthony’s Cemetery. Those wishing to honor Santina in a special way are asked to consider making a memorial contribution in her name to: St. Luke’s, The Daily Food Pantry Bread, 1247 State toStreet, 12304 or American Italian Heritage Museum, www.americanitalianmuseum.org

Santina DiCocco

August 28, 1934 - January 26, 2023