Antonietta Cerilli DeSantis

Our beautiful, loving mother Antonietta Cerilli DeSantis eternally strong in our Blessed Mother Mary, Holy Spirit and Faith has been welcomed by Our Heavenly Father and reunited with her beloved husband, Rocco, on Sunday, August 17, 2025, in their family home. She had many challenges in her life but handled them with perseverance and grace. She was an inspiration to many, and her helpful kindness never ceased. Antonietta was born March 17, 1933, in Supino, Provence of Frosinone, Lazio Region, Italy. A daughter of the late Casimiro and Filomena Pietrandrea Cerilli, and the late Artemesia Boni, stepmother. Antonietta has estranged paternal siblings Valentino Antonio (Alberta Zuccaro) Cerilli, Michigan and estranged Nalena Cerilli, Supino. Antonietta at the age of two lost her mother, Filomena, to a mosquito bite. She was raised by the nuns of Supino, her late loving paternal grandmother, Luisa Giuseppina Tomei Cerilli (Nonna Peppina), her late maternal grandparents Mamma Rosa Schietroma and Filippo (Nonno Peppo) Pietrandrea whom she adored with a heavy heart. Antonietta, as a young child, worked tirelessly in her father’s butcher shop. She enjoyed, loved interacting with people of Supino. Her legacy she left behind in Supino is still today talked about. Antonietta was the beloved wife of 52 years to the late husband Rocco who had returned to Supino to marry Antonietta on December 5, 1955. She immigrated June 1956. She is thankful to her now heavenly long-time life-line sisters Mary D’Ottavio and Dorothy Dalesio who had helped Antonietta receive her US citizenship and shared good and bad life experiences throughout their lifetime together. Antonietta was bonded for life with Mary and with Dorothy. Antonietta returned to Supino for the first time in June 1977 because her father was gravely ill. Upon her immediate return to Supino, she saved her father’s life with her husband blood bank membership. Many who knew Antonietta always praised her for working hard like no one else in Supino and many were also very excited to see her again. She sponsored so many in Confirmation. She had more Patena’s and Cumara’s in every corner of Supino. Since 1956 every October she joined a pilgrimage group to Our Lady of Lourdes in Euclid, Ohio. In the mid 60’s, Antonietta became a pilgrimage leader and was entrusted with the Blessed Mother Mary banner. The pilgrimage group continued every year up to 2016. She made and had so many genuine friends she was proud of, so proud, “I have lots of good friends.” Antonietta was always known for leading religious Italian hymns. Antonietta was devoted to her pilgrimage trips, the Madonna and San Cataldo since childhood. She was honored in 2011 as Daughter of Supino by the Supinesi San Cataldo. She dreamed of San Cataldo during trouble times, and he guided her with courage. Antonietta is and will always be known as “the only master” at baking ciambelli, nobody could ever bake them like her. She enjoyed planting an abundance of flowers around the family home. Her husband Rocco enjoyed the passerby’s compliments and took great pride in her gardening. Antonietta continued growing her husband’s vegetable garden every year and when she could not herself, her daughter continued the family tradition. Antonietta was a devoted, loving wife to her husband and children, very dedicated, while still providing for their wellbeing and higher education. Her guidance, love and patience were a constant source of strength, unconditional, endless love, and support for her family. Antonietta anchored the family together and surpassed many years of illnesses and hardships. Antonietta is preceded in death by her husband, Rocco DeSantis on August 4, 2007, whom she shared 52 years of love in sickness and in health together forever. Surviving is her devoted daughter Marian, son Joseph, estranged daughter Joann and estranged son Richard. Grandchildren Anthony, Danielle, and Julia. Special friend Sheri McWilliams, RN, MSN. She is also survived by special loving nieces Guiseppina (Pina) Cerilli Spaziani in Supino, Elouise (Alice) Bernola Skelly and Lora Corsi Coco in Michigan: Dearly loved Zia Maria Boni, Cugini Marisa Pagani, Luigi Boni and Papinella and Alberto Arduini in Toronto, Filomena Simoni in Windsor, Amedeo and Linda Tomei, Gino and Domenca Paossi, Paolo and Laura Paluzzi in Montreal, Canada, Melania Martini in Supino, Rosina Pietrandrea Compton in Michigan, Jane Cerilli, Camille Cerilli Stevenson, Felix and Maria Magnotta, Carla Tucci-Lytle Cordova, Rose Ann Boni, Luisa DeSantis, Erminia DeSantis Palmieri, Luigi Pietrandrea, and Romano Rossi. Exceptional, devoted friends who were loving, respectful, and supportive Rita Ceccarelli, James DeSantis, Enrico and Denise D’Ottavio Francani, and our Eucharistic Minister, Dave Knight. A loving friend, Ethel “Squeaky” Babinec, who Antonietta would call “Bella” has been a wonderful, heartfelt companion. Antonietta was separated from her loyal forever childhood friend, Layah, to Argentina and is now reunited and with all those who have gone before her whom she loved, missed so dearly especially those from the pilgrimage groups. Heartfelt thanks to St. Titus Ministry of Caring and the elementary catholic school children for their beautiful handmade cards for the past years. Most importantly, thank you Dr. Michael Oliver and Racey B Keister, RN, for all your attention and exceptional care provided. Antonietta requests love, respect, and embrace the saints who bless us with miracles every day and the children who have lost their mother in early childhood. Honor your mother and father. Her motto for a long marriage, she would always say, “Put up and shut up” “it’s only one argument.” Thank you to all the friends and strangers who helped her along the way on her journey to home. Our family chain is broken now, and nothing will be the same, but as God calls us one by one the chain will link again. Mom, you are sadly missed and will forever be imbedded in our hearts. You’re now reunited with your mother, Nonna Filomena, whom you have yearned in your heart for so long. Rest in peace my dear loving mother, you have worked very, very hard for too many long years. Mommy and Daddy, you both now will enjoy eternal loving, painless peace and love forever together again in Paradiso. Ti amo sempre mia mamma, bella sempre, sarai per sempre la tua macchia nei nostril cuori. A million times I will miss you ~ A million times I will cry If love alone could have saved you You would have never died. In life I loved you dearly, in death I love you still. In my heart you hold a place ~ No other one can fill The Golden gates stood open, God saw you needed rest. He gently took you to a life ~ Of peace and happiness eternally. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 3-7 pm at the ANTHONY MASTROFRANCESCO FUNERAL HOME INC. 2026 McMinn Street Aliquippa PA 15001 724-375-0496. A Mass of Christian burial will take place Wednesday at 10:00 am in Mary Queen of Saints Parish, St. Titus Roman Catholic Church. Departing prayers will take place in the funeral home at 9:30 am.

Antonietta Cerilli DeSantis

March 17, 1933 - August 17, 2025