Lorraine A. Della Villa

Schenectady - On April 28th a month shy of her 98th birthday, Lorraine Della Villa, mother of Paul, Laurie and Marc Della Villa peacefully passed on. She was the grandmother of Jesse, Paul and Lauren, Julie and Ryan, Jake, Mia, and Valentine (the children of mothers, Paula DiGiuseppe, Casey Rutkowski, Nycole Rodriguez and Laurie). She was great-grandmother to Addie, Bodhi and Gala. Lorraine also leaves behind nieces and nephews, Jo-Ann, Paula, Leslie, Lana, Lisa, Kathy, Deana, Gary, Tom, David, Mathew, Tom, Bobby and Johnny.

Over the years Lorraine opened her home to many children who became part of her family: John Rossi, Peter McKay, Vincent Cleary, Stevie Ostrander, Mark Kowalski, Betsy Gauger, and many others who were embraced by her loving care, her kindness and her wise and witty ways. She embodied fairness, intelligence and always managed to broaden her world to make room for those in her charge. She spent endless hours reading to and playing with her grandchildren who called her Mimi which became her family title. Lorraine was a friend and mentor to all of her children's and grandchildren's friends. She deeply loved and cared for her precious dogs Mommy Girl, Vishla, Wally, Yasha and her rescued feral cat, Oreo, along with dozens of other feral cats whom she fed and vetted for more then 20 years.

Lorraine found great joy in music from Opera to country and she could rock with the best of them.  She loved to sing, dance and was as graceful on roller skates as she was in life. She even took up skiing at the age of 46. Lorraine loved watching movies and could answer all the pink Trivial Pursuit questions about them. She shared her knowledge of music and movies with everyone. Lorraine held treasured friendships with Annie and Sandy Donadio,Virginia Guido (and her daughters Barbara, Joya and Vicki), Madeline Viscusi, Barbara Solomos,Bruce Ganzler and cousins Patty Meyer and Carol Danby. Lorraine lived on Hungry Hill in Schenectady for over 75 years in a tight community of families that forged lifelong friendships over several generations. Those friendships continue today.

Lorraine was pre-deseased by her husband Jack Della Villa (whom she married on April 28, 1944), her beloved parents, Pietro and Mary Sarinelli, her dear brothers Liberty, Leo and her sister Rose.  She had worked for many years at the Air National Guard base in Scotia as a key-punch operator, and also headed the handbag and hosiery department at the Imperial Store, on State Street in Schenectady. She had a full and meaningful life.

Friends, family, aides, and Hospice personnel, who took such great care of her these last four plus years, are invited to join us for a Remembrance Gathering on Saturday June 15th from 2pm to 4pm at 357 Notre Dame Street, Schenectady. Please come and bring your stories.