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Concetta “Tina” Pellone, Hornell NY

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Concetta “Tina” Pellone is blessed to be reunited with her husband, Vinny, and friends as she recently entered Heaven on November 4, 2023.

Tina lived a long and productive life.  She was born in Naples Italy in 1930 as one of four children. At a young age she lost her younger brother and sister during World War II.  Shortly after she met the man of her dreams, Vincent Pellone, while he was serving for the US army as a soldier in the Korean War and visiting his family in Naples.  Like a Hollywood movie, they married in Naples and moved to the United States where they lived in the Little Italy neighborhood of New York City.  Their dreams continued to come true as they were blessed with the birth of  their daughter, Anna Pellone (later to become Anna Garguilo).  They lived the American dream, working hard, and eventually purchasing a house in Brooklyn on Ocean Parkway.

Well known for her ability as a seamstress, Tina worked as a dressmaker in Lou’s shop in Brooklyn, making wedding gowns as well as long-time friends.  But maybe more notable than her dress making skills was her cooking skills. She exemplified the rich Italian cooking the New York area for which she is now well known.  Tina often hosted huge family dinners using a wide variety of fancy China and multiple courses. With her husband sitting at the head of the table, they made many happy memories.

While America was their home, they always considered themselves Italian and would take many vacations around the world, especially back to Naples to visit extended family.  Her parents lived to be 99 years old and her sister Mille is still alive and now 86 surrounded by her three children and an extended Italian family.  Tina & Mille continued to speak on the phone whenever they could, bragging about their children and grandchildren like giddy sisters in Italian. 

Tina had two absolute favorites in her life.  The first was Sunday dinner where she would get to cook and show her deep love for her family through Italian dishes.  This was a chance to shower her two grandchildren, Michael and Vincent, with warm unconditional love.  She would never miss any of their school awards or sporting events if she could help it.  Tina took any opportunity to talk with people about her grandchildren.  She was deeply proud of ALL their achievements, including graduation from college.

Her second favorite thing in life was the occasional getaway to the casino, where she came alive to the lights and sounds of the slot machines.  She could be found playing the penny slots with fixed interest and passion.  Tina would remark on the “only if” scenarios of potential jackpots to the smiles and laughter of anyone that would listen.

Later in life, her grandchild Michael was blessed with two children, Aurora and Celeste, which gave “Nona” a chance to shower them with love that only an Italian great-grandmother can achieve.  The two little girls loved eating pancakes at Nona’s house and playing “flower shop” with the multitudes of silk flowers scattered around her house.  Each visit was counted down with great expectation.

Tina will always be remembered for her thick Italian accent, that although she lived in the USA for many decades, was like visiting Italy itself when you spoke with her and her deep sweet kindness to everyone.  She would always put herself last to make sure everyone else was happy and well fed.  Frequently smiling and asking if you wanted more food and slowly pushing the bowls closer to you.  Tina continued to share her passion for food outside of the house as she worked in the cafeteria of the North Hornell Elementary School making sure each young person had enough food and love in their lives.

Many special occasions in and around town have been accented by her seamstress abilities.  Tina was well known for her alterations for many local people, including prom gowns.  She enjoyed chatting with all her customers, but Jimmy Dagon was her favorite customer and a friend to the end.

Many thanks to all the doctors, nurses and aids who took care of Tina over the years.  A special thank you Carefirst Hospice and the Hornell City Ambulance for the many times they had to help her.

Through many years, she continued to live alone, but received constant care and attention from her daughter, Anna and Son-in-law Michael, who lived two houses away.  Always attentive to her wants and needs they continued to provide family love.  She eagerly awaited the periodic calls from her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  The years were accented by holiday visits and friendly smiles from visitors.  Thank you to all that visited and greeted her around town.

In addition to her parents, Tina was preceded in death by her husband, Vincent “Vinny” Pellone; along with her brother & sister.

Surviving are her daughter, Anna (Michael) Garguilo; 2 grandsons, Vincent (Leanne Rahner) Garguilo of Forest Hills, NY and Michael (Kristin) Garguilo of Ridgefield, CT; her great-granddaughters, Aurora and Celeste; her sister, Mille; along with several nieces & nephews.

At Tina’s request there will be no calling hours.  A Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday at 11:00 AM at the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY with Deacon Robert McCormick officiating.   She will be laid to rest next to her husband, Vinny, at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Rochester, NY.

Tina’s family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN  38105 (stjude.org) or to Care first Hospice, 3805 Meads Creek Rd., Painted Post, NY  14870 (carefirstny.org).

To leave an online condolence or share a memory, visit www.dagonfuneralhome.com

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