Erma Paliani Obituary

Erma, you are truly loved and missed. Rest in Heaven

In 1984 Erma welcomed me into her space just outside the Assistant Commissioner's office. She was a joy to work with. For the next 16 years we were never far apart in the office even through our moves. She made the best chocolate chips cookies I have ever had. She was extremely thoughtful, providing cakes and cookies every month in celebration of the birthdays for the month including cards for those with birthdays that month. Remarkably, she did this all year long regardless of the weather and rarely, if ever with help. I will always remember her fondly.

My deepest sympathy to Erma's family & friends on the loss of the "matriarch" of INS/DHS. She was truly a grand lady and just so adorable! She will be in my heart & prayers for a long time to come.

In loving memory of a wonderful person. May the family find comfort and cherish the memories they have forever.

Miss Erma was one of a kind! She could always provide you with the information you needed no matter who she worked for. If you have a question of format, she was who you went to! she is not forgotten and her legacy is carried on in all of us who were fortunate to have known her and experienced her dedication as a true professional!

Miss Erma was one of a kind. She led by example teaching us how to be part of the INS family, teaching us about life and living life to the fullest. She loved us and we loved her. We all have our Miss Erma stories. I remember the time we met so I could prep her for a press interview. Not sure who prepped who but we had a blast. Her spirit lives on in all of us lucky enough to have spent time with her.

-Nancy Cohen

Erma Paliani really was truly "special." Born during the First World War, she started her "affiliation" with the U. S. Government in 1936 (National Youth Administration), going on to the War Department in 1940, to DOJ/INS in 1947 (transferring to INS Investigations in March of 1952), and then onward to DHS/ICE in 2003 before retiring in 2009. All of the tributes in this guest book are so well-deserved. She was simply "the best." I was fortunate to know her as my secretary from 1995 until I retired in 2002 . . . and, before that, when she was Jack Shaw's secretary from 1983 to 1995.

The phrase "they don't make them like her anymore" often came to mind when describing Erma. But, then, over the years, we met her family members from her hometown area of Baden in Western Pennsylvania -- i.e., niece Gerri Spaziani and her husband Andy, and their daughters Mary [Bracken] and (Little) Erma [McCune] . . . and, later, their spouses and children. Her family in Pennsylvania (and South Carolina) always, always made the members of the "adopted" INS family feel welcome. After the funeral services for Erma (aka: Big Erma at 4'9" tall), her grandniece Little Erma called me to ensure that I had made it home safely from Baden. That is just the way that they are! The Pennsylvania family always looked after Erma and also the INS family . . . and vice-versa. After having met Erma's family members from Pennsylvania many years ago, I realized that "they still do make them like Erma!"

R.I.P Erma, we shall miss you.

My thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time. Erma was a very special friend and a great inspiration. Just knowing she was still in the world made me smile. She will be missed. God bless and keep you, Miss Erma!

A truly remarkable lady who influenced so many people in so many extraordinary ways. From a gracious, diminutive ballroom dancer before most of us were born, to the organizer of the eagerly anticipated cookie birthday celebrations, and everything in between, Miss Erma was kindness and class personified. Heaven is a better place now that her soul rests there. My heartfelt condolences to her family and to all of you that were touched by her at INS.

Condolences to your family, Irma. You were a wonderful lady, and it was a pleasure to share the times we shared.

My condolences to the family. Erma was special and unique in so many ways. Some of the best lessons in life I learned from Erma. She used to say to me "You better take care of yourself, you're not getting any younger, you know." What else could I say but, "Yes Ma'am!"

Shalom!

As we worked alongside Erma at Headquarters INS Investigations, from 1980 through 1997, we quickly came to respect her as a formidable living legend; and we came to adore her as a lovely, kind, and loyal friend. In addition to requiring that we met the highest standards in HQ work products, she would consistently delight us all in Investigations and lift our spirits with her homemade birthday cakes and monthly in-office mini-celebrations. She is, and will remain, the definition of a "classy lady."

Deepest sympathies to Erma's family, especially "Little Erma". I still remember the baby shower she helped organize for my daughter. Joi toddled about with one of Erma's wonderful cookies in each of her little hands and went from person to person soliciting MORE! M "How can she (now we) be joyful without Erma's cookies?", asked my colleagues. Indeed. A shining light has left us to become one of heaven's brightest stars.

Erma was not only a joy to work with (and a kindred spirit in our love of the perfectly edited document!), but a beloved friend of our family. We'll cherish our memories of her always.

What a very special person. I remember when I came to HQINV in 1990 and wrote my first memo for Jack Shaw's signature. Erma brought it back with several red checks but soothed my bruised ego by letting me know it wasn't bad for a first attempt. Much later I would see her red pen at work on a DOJ MOU that was poorly written (by Erma's standards) but was nonetheless signed by AG Bill Barr. She sent it back for corrections because she did not want Jack to sign a memo with so many errors. She truly enjoyed her job and the people she worked with, often remembering us on birthdays with cookies or cake. God speed Erma. You will always be loved by those fortunate enough to have worked with you.

Ms. Erma was such a great person she will be miss.

Ms. Erma was a gem in this world. her sharp mind and quick wit made her unforgettable. She was a trailblazer and an inspiration to working women everywhere! It was blessing to know her and she will be missed.

Erma, what an inspiration you were, and still are, to so many of us for your incredible dedication to public service and outstanding work ethic! I know you touched so many lives. God has his newest angel--God bless your family.

Aunt Erma, thank you for making me who I am today. You helped me get my first real job and trained me the right ways of doing things. I still remember the little typewriter you taught us how to type on. And yes cookies bake better at midnight then they do any other time of the day. I love you and miss you with all my heart. Love Little Erma

Erma was a kind presence at INS HQ and an interesting and caring person who touched alot of people. I remember the transition ceremony from DOJ to DHS where she led the organization with 2 Cabinet-level Secretaries into the new Department. God bless.

Erma taught me to work hard and do the best I possibly could. She was my first role model at INS. What a sweet, beautiful, wonderful person!

sympathy too ur family from carrie smith Wilson and Karen mellon

Mostly passing through HQ on TDY in the 1990s through 2006 alway found Ms. Erma so very kind. She never forgot a birthday and was a fine lady. God bless.

Erma was always a quiet presence at INS HQ and made a difference to so many. I particularly remember seeing her one night on my way home, offering to drive her, but the most she would let me do was take her to the bus stop and and also the ceremony taking INS into DHS where she led the way with 2 Cabinet level Secretaries. God bless.

She will be missed, friends and family should be comforted by knowing she was highly regarded, indeed loved, by colleagues at INS/Homeland Security and in particular by "her" investigators all of whom she looked after. Chris

My condolences to Erma's family. She was always very kind to us all. Erma never forgot a birthday and always brought in her famous CC cookies! Thank you Erma, rest in peace. Mark McGraw

Erma was such a lovely and lively lady! During my time working at legacy-INS, she was always willing to go that extra mile to help. My sincerest condolences to her family. May she rest in peace with The Lord.

My respects to one of the classiest ladies I have had the honor to know and call friend. We are better people because of her kind influence. R.I.P. sweet lady, Rest In Peace! The light of this world dimmed a little with her passing. God Bless!

I started working at HQINV in 1991. As senior special agents we were required to write reports to Congress. When I wrote my first report I was told to give it to Erma for proofreading. I thought to myself how can she possibly go through a 50 page report & catch any errors, especially after I proofread it myself several times. The next day she comes by my desk & gives me back my report w/all these paper clips in each page where errors were found. There were tons of paper clips - lol. She even found where I double spaced instead of single spaced. After that all my reports went to her. She was the most amazing woman I have ever had the pleasure of meeting & working with. My heart goes out to her family - she will be missed by so many people because she touched everyone that ever met or worked with her.

Miss Erma was the most kind and warm person I've ever known. We all worked together at the legacy Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) and at the merged Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). She exemplified the perfect dedicated and loyal civil servant. We loved her and were very protective of her. May you and the rest of your family cherish her memory for the rest of your lives. We certainly will.

Rodney Guliford @ ICE

Aunt Erma, every day I told you we were to get snow, it never came. The day you died, it snowed and I know you did that for me. You will always be in my head, my heart, and my soul. I love you always and forever.

The world has lost a truly remarkable lady. I had the pleasure and honor of working with Ms. Paliani between 1988 and 1999, just a small part of the many years she served as the Senior Secretary and Correspondence Manager in the Office of the Assistant Commissioner for Investigations at the Washington Headquarters of the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service. She was "The Standard" under which we learned to prepare perfect correspondence and other documents for signature by our boss and by the Commissioner of the USI&NS, the Attorney General and the President. If she corrected your work - there was never a need to check her correction - she was Never wrong. She was the finest person I ever worked with. My sincere condolences to her neice (and our Intern) "little Erma" and the rest of the family.

I'm compelled to add my voice to so many others in singing Erma's praises. She was a dedicated public servant through often tumultuous times. Her family should be very proud.

May God bless you and your family in this time of loss. Such a great legacy of service to her country and community. Thanks for sharing her with us!

To the Paliani family you have my deepest condolences during this time. Erma was a beautiful person she had the most pleasant personality always the same. May she rest in peace.

Miss Erma was a legend to those of us who worked with her at INS and later when we became ICE. We have missed her since her retirement and are sorry to hear of her death.

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

I would like to offer my sincerest condolences to Erma's family. Erma was such a great person. She will be missed by everyone that had the pleasure of knowing her.

It was a privilege to know Erma and spend time with her away from the office. Her stories of Washington in the mid-1900's were fabulous as were her stories of her youth near Pittsburgh. I remember when I saw photos of Erma in her dancing attire and when she met the Attorney General on the occasion of her 80th birthday. I extend my sympathies to her niece, great nieces and family. Jackie Bednarz

My heart is filled with great sadness. Erma was a very special person and will be greatly missed. I enjoyed every moment spent with her during my career at INS/DHS. My condolences to her family.

Felicia Clark

Our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Erma. To me, Erma was the voice of Immigration Investigations. A fine, pleasant and gracious woman. May she rest in the peace of the Lord.

It was a privilege and an honor to have known Erma during my time with INS/DHS. She was someone very special. She will always remain in my heart. Most sincere condolences to her family. GOD's blessings to all.

Erma, you were always a welcoming and constant presence in the halls of the INS. I and many others who passed through those halls as young men and women over the years will remember you with great fondness.

I will always remember your kindness to us at USINS.

My condolences to Erma's family. She was a wonderful person and a joy to be around. Erma was one of the most dedicated government employee I had the honor of knowing. I used to walk Erma to the bus stop from the office on occasions during the winter hours because it was dark by 5pm. Rest in peace Erma. Thank you for everything.