Philomena J. "Mamie" Ciliberti

Philomena “Mamie” (Zito) Ciliberti, 101, of Roseto, PA peacefully passed away at home on July 3, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. Mamie was born on June 24, 1923 in Roseto, PA, to Italian immigrants Constance (Trigiani) and Joseph Zito.

Mamie was a 1941 graduate of Bangor High School. In 1943, she married her husband James Ciliberti and together they raised seven beautiful children.

As a member of the “Greatest Generation” and a first-generation Italian-American, Mamie came of age during the Great Depression and WW2 era. These events shaped her, from being raised to know hard work, how to live within her means, and the importance of family. Cooking every meal from scratch, sewing her family’s clothing, and never straying from her family homestead were the hallmarks of her life.

After the heartache of losing her beloved husband James at the age of 49, Mamie devoted the next 52 years of her life to raising the next three generations of her family.

When her children were young, Mamie served as secretary treasurer of the Columbus School PTA and was a lifetime member and past president of the Roseto American Legion Ladies Auxiliary. 

In her “golden years,” she had the pleasure of snow-birding in Florida, having many fun adventures and creating new and cherished friendships, especially with her dear friend Betty Kelly.

In addition to her many talents, experiences and accomplishments during her ten decades on this side of Heaven, her greatest and most fulfilling role was that of a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Mamie’s final years were spent serving as “Mae-care” for her grand and great-grandchildren and creating precious memories for her family to cherish forever. 

The ultimate homemaker, meatball-maker and jitter-bugger, she will be greatly missed by the heartbroken family she leaves behind. The matriarch of the Ciliberti family and the longest living resident of the original Chestnut Street, Mamie now rests in the arms of her Lord and in the company of those who went before her.

Mamie is survived by her children James, Joseph, Beth (Jeff), Michael (Maggie), and Patti, 12 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, in-laws Yvonne and Isidore DeThomas and Armand Defranco and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Mamie was preceded in death by her husband James, brother Philip Zito, daughter-in-law Carol Ciliberti and her two beloved children, Ken Ciliberti and Connie Bath. 

Mamie was a member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Roseto, PA and a devoted contributor to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Those wishing to honor Mamie are invited to make a donation in her name to St. Jude.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated, Friday, July 12, 2024, at 11 AM, at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church, 3rd and Garibaldi Avenues, Roseto.  There will be a visitation beginning at 9 AM until 10:45 AM Friday at the church.  Interment will be in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel New Catholic Cemetery, Roseto.  The Ruggiero Funeral Home, LLC, Pen Argyl is in charge of the arrangements. 

Online condolences may be offered at www.ruggierofuneralhome.com. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be offered to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.