Carmela DiCarlo

Albany, NY-Carmela DiCarlo, 85, Colonie NY, unexpectedly passed away on Thursday November 16 while visiting family in France (Wednesday November 15 in USA). Carmela is survived by her loving husband Sante DiCarlo, her children Silvia DiCarlo (Paul Cooper), Marina Loveland (Jason Nemet) and Emilia DiCarlo (Anthony Truesell); her cherished Grandchildren Brianna Turner Campbell (Mark); Mikaela Turner; Anthony Truesell, Austin Truesell and Nino Truesell; Great Grandchildren Chase Campbell and Greyson Truesell; sisters Esterina Ricupero, Angelina (George) Pauley; Marisa (Chris) Traynor and Rosalia (Andre) Labrier; brother Frank (Elizabeth) Ricupero. She is preceded by her loving son John, granddaughter Adriana Truesell, parents Cosimo and Maria ‘Bumbaca’ Ricupero and her siblings Joanne Ricupero Anastasio and Carlo Ricupero, son in law Steven Loveland (Marina). Carmela was the eldest of 8 children. Born on June 27, 1938 in a small town in Italy called Locri, Reggio Calabria where she went to school for 3 years. As the oldest sibling, she had to leave school and help care of her younger siblings and cook to feed the help on the family farm. A job she did very well and never complained about. In 1958, she left Italy with her mother, sisters and one brother, to meet up with her father and brother who left a few years earlier, to the United States in search of more opportunity and a better life. She was 20 years old. She quickly began working and started taking night classes to learn the language of her new home. She met her husband Sante, another Italian Immigrant and married on a hot day of September 3, 1961. Although Carmela was a stay-at-home mom for many years, she used her skills of sewing at home for some large retailers in the 60’s and 70’s to help support the family finance. When her children were old enough to stay on their own, she began working for the state at SUNY part time. She left employment in 1995 so she can continue to help her children by providing day care for each of her grandchildren. A job she treasured. The “beloved wife, mother and Nonna” was “giving and nurturing” and “there wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do for her family.” Over the years, Carmela made multiple trips back to Italy and France. She traveled to Ireland, several cruises, and Hawaii. In her later years she traveled for various length of time to their second home in Myrtle Beach SC. Carmela was often found at home in her kitchen cooking something amazing. Visitors were often greeted with something she was able to quickly make. Food was her love language, and you never left her house hungry or empty handed. She had many hobbies she enjoyed including cooking, crocheting, bocci with the ladies at Italian American Community Center where she was a charter member. She enjoyed daily walking and trained for the Freihofer Race for Women at age 84. Carmela is often described as Saint on Earth as her loving and caring ways were demonstrated daily to anyone who crossed her path. She was available at a moment’s notice for anyone in need. Carmela always felt at home in church and lived life ‘to serve’. Many times, mentioning that she was ready for God to take her. She was a devoted Parishioner of Blessed Sacrament Church. Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Carmela’s family Thursday, November 30, 2023 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at McVeigh Funeral Home, 208 North Allen Street, Albany, NY 12206. Please enter the funeral home from the rear parking lot entrance only. Funeral services Friday, December 1, 2023 at 10:30 am at Blessed Sacrament Church, 607 Central Ave. (Father John Bradley Way), Albany, NY 12206 where her Funeral Mass will be celebrated. The Rite of Committal will be held at Our Lady of Angels Cemetery immediately following the Mass. To leave a message for the family please visit www.McveighFuneralHome.com In lieu of flowers being sent in her memory, the family asks that donations are made in her name to the Regional Food Bank of Northeast NY.

Tributes

Carmela DiCarlo

June 28, 1938 - November 16, 2023