Vincenza Pennacchia Polsinelli

NISKAYUNA - Vincenza Pennacchia Polsinelli, 86, died suddenly on Sunday, October 7, 2018 at her home.
Vincenza was an amazing woman whose warmth, generosity and selflessness were seen through a lifetime of being a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Her life revolved around her family and the love was obvious in everything she did.
She was born the seventh of eight children on July 1, 1932 in the village of Pennacchia in Fontechari, Italy to Fiorina and Roberto Pennacchia. She immigrated to America in 1948, settled in Schenectady with her parents and siblings, learned a new language and successfully adapted to a new culture.
Vincenza was married for 60 years to the love of her life, Biagio, and supported her family in so many ways. She supported her husband Biagio with the family business, provided a beautiful home, and raised five fortunate children. Her unbeatable, innate strengths included her love of cooking that was always dripping with such talent and love. Everything was homemade - from her pasta and bread, to her Pigna, Easter Bread and Kruspels, to her hand jarred tomato sauce, eggplant and jellies. No dish was beyond her reach of expertise and was the most delicious anyone could ever taste. Her lifelong love of gardening contributed to dishes she created. These strengths didn't stop with just food. Vincenza was a skilled shopper, and was always ready with insightful, spot-on advice, and could tell the greatest stories, unlike any other. She was also an expert wine maker and taught us all the beauty of homemade everything.
Through the years of her sacrifices for her family, a strong work ethic and a dedication to living an honest, good and generous life, Vincenza was both the rock and the heart of the family. Vincenza taught her family the true meaning of family, and it's because of her perseverance they have all stayed so close.
Vincenza was a devout Catholic. She and Biagio were married at St. Anthony's parish in Schenectady in 1950. Vincenza celebrated her faith in that parish for over 71 years, and was also a member of the Sacred Heart League.
Vincenza was preceded in death by her husband Biagio, her siblings Lina Martini, Angelina Serafini, Josephine DiCarlo Pallante, Elia Lecce, Emilio Pennacchia, Attilio Pennacchia, and Antonio Pennacchia.
She is survived by her children Vincenzo Polsinelli and his wife Francesca (Bellú); Maria (Polsinelli) Molyneaux and her husband Richard; Frederico Polsinelli and his wife Denise (Johnson); Biagio Polsinelli, Jr. and his wife Josephine (Capoccia); and daughter Antonette Polsinelli. She was a remarkable role model to her ten grandchildren; Frederico Polsinelli, Jr. and his wife Nicole; Michael Polsinelli and his wife Sarah; Alisha (Polsinelli) Betti and her husband Jeff; Nicholas Polsinelli; Christopher Polsinelli; Vincenzo Polsinelli; Stephen Polsinelli; Gregory Polsinelli; Christian Polsinelli and Elizabeth Polsinelli; and her great grandson, Jackson Betti. She is also survived by her three sisters-in-law, Anna Pennacchia; Lydia Pennacchia and Gerta Pennacchia, as well as countless nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank Fr. Richard Carlino and Sr. Maria Rosa for their years of friendship.
Services will be held Thursday morning at 9 am from the Rossi & Ditoro Funeral Home, 501 Union Street, then to St. Anthony's Church, 331 Seward Place, Schenectady, where a Catholic Mass will be Con-celebrated at 10 am. Entombment to follow the Mass in St. Anthony's Cemetery.
Relatives and friends are invited and may call at the Rossi & Ditoro Funeral Home on Wednesday evening from 4 pm to 8 pm.
Contributions may be made in Vincenza's memory to St. Anthony's Church, 331 Seward Place, Schenectady, NY 12305. For more information and directions, please visit: www.rossiditorofuneralhome.com