Antoinette Sebastianelli

Antoinette "Antonia" Sebastianelli, 99, of Jessup, died Thursday at VNA Hospice of Community Medical Center, one month before her 100th birthday. She was the widow of Carlo Sebastianelli, who died in 1984.

Born in Casi Quatro, Italy, daughter of the late Silvestro and Maria Sebastianelli Antonelli, she was a member of St. Mary's Assumption Church, Jessup, and the Jessup American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Post 411.

She came to this country when she was 17, shortly after her marriage. After her arrival at Ellis Island, she settled in Jessup, where her husband had already established a home. She left behind her parents, brothers and sister, returning just once, in 1969.

Her life was her children and house. The focal point of her life was the kitchen, where she gave counseling, gathered people together and provided nutrition. While she was able, she was always busy for her family. She overcame her many adversities by perseverance and prayer to God and His mother.

She valued education and encouraged all her children to continue theirs. She loved to listen to talk radio while working in the kitchen. Topics she enjoyed were world affairs, politics and government. From this, she established her own points of view that were logical and had great common sense.

Having a large family and saving for her children's education, particularly medical school for her son — who actively participated in her care until her death — her ingenunity was making ends meet sewing, canning and cooking meals from scratch.

Late into her 90s, she devotly went to the YMCA. She thoroughly enjoyed being in the pool, making many friends and inspiring all who met her. Being the oldest member, she appeared in a "Y" advertisement.

The family wishes to thank the staff at the Dunmore Health Care Center along with Dr. Salvatore Lawrence.

Surviving are six sons, Primo and wife, Mary, Peckville; Secondo, Jessup; Dr. Mario, Archbald; Carl and wife, Barbara, Clarks Summit; Benedict and wife, Shirley, Jessup; and Sylvester "Sy," Jessup; a daughter, Grace Berardi, Peckville; a sister, Anetta Vitaletti, Rome; eight grandchildren, Ann Sebastianelli; Mario Jr., Alexa and Marco Sebastianelli; Alan Berardi; Maria Ferretti; Lori Toczydlowski and Sheri Fay; and nine great-grandchildren, Julia and Michael Ferretti; Angelica and Alicia Berardi; Joey, Luci Ana and Ben Sebastian Toczydlowski; and Sabrina and Olivia Fay.

She was also preceded in death by four brothers, Sesto, Giuseppe, Sante and Domenico; an infant son and a son-in-law, Al Berardi.

The funeral will be Monday from the Louis M. Margotta Funeral Home, 511 Church St., Jessup, with Mass at 10:30 a.m. in St. Mary's Assumption Church, Jessup. Interment St. Francis Cemetery, Eynon.

Friends may call Sunday, 5 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Dunmore YMCA, Jessup Street, Dunmore, PA 18512; or the donor's favorite charity.

For directions or online condolences, go to www.mar gottafuneralhomes.com.