Gemma (Baldi) Palombi

Gemma (Baldi) Palombi passed away on September 29, 2015, after a brief illness. She was reunited with her beloved husband of 63 years, Gus, one week prior to celebrating her 93rd birthday. Gemma was predeceased by her husband, and by her siblings, twin sister Yolanda Forsyth, Betty Pompeii, and Angie Fanning, as well as brothers George and Raymond Baldi, and several brothers and sisters-in-law. Gemma is survived by her daughters and special sons-in-law, Patricia and Robert Allman and Paulette and Frank Saraceno. "Noni" was blessed with five loving grandchildren and spouses, Geoffrey (Jennifer) Allman, Kristin (Michael) Cibulsky, Gregg Saraceno, Frank (Ashley) Saraceno, and Bryan (Lesley) Allman. She was affectionately known as "GiGi" to her eleven great-grandchildren, Geoffrey, Kaitlyn, Meghan and Emily Allman; Preston, Parker and Griffin Allman; and Anthony, Aiden, Carter and Isabel Cibulsky. She will be missed as well by two loving nieces, Gail Volp and Linette Beers.
Gemma was a highly valued employee at Singer-Link for over 40 years. Upon her retirement, she and Gus travelled extensively, gambling a bit along the way, and devoted themselves to caring for and spending time with their family, especially their grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. The quality and impact of their involvement cannot be measured in words.
Gemma was a proud representative of the "Greatest Generation"- female type. She was a loving matriarch to her extended family, a hard worker, feisty, compassionate, and an extremely generous woman of strong faith, totally devoted to all of us. She and Gus laid the foundation for a close-knit family rooted to tradition, including our annual all-inclusive (that's ALL of us!) vacations to Ocean City, Md.; holiday meals and get-togethers, especially Christmas and New Year's Eve celebrations in "Gus' Dog House", she and Gus' cozy family room (and bar); and, last but not least, Christmas night sleepovers involving 20 plus family members cramped together on couches, sleeping bags, and hardwood flooring and carpeting. How wonderful and memorable they were for all of us!
The family extends special thanks to Drs. Butt and Guizano, and to the nurses and staff on South Tower 4 at Wilson Hospital for their professionalism and compassion in caring for Gemma. Further, the family wishes to acknowledge those home care aides who have worked so caringly on behalf of Gemma over the past two years, Carole Grummons, Carol Madigan, Linda Young, Nancy Pease, Ann Kramer-McGinn and Jill Kie.

A Funeral Mass will be held for Gemma at SS. John and Andrew Church in Binghamton this Saturday at noon. Those who wish to pay their respects can do so at the church from 10am to noon, preceding the funeral mass. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Danielle House in Binghamton and/or the St. Jude's Hospital. Both charities were very close to Gemma's heart. And a BIG heart it was! Arrangements are in the care of Albert J. DeMarco with the THOMAS J. SHEA FUNERAL HOME, INC.