Loretta B. Giambona

It is with sadness the family of Loretta B. Giambona, of New Hartford, NY, and formerly of Rome, NY, and Daytona Beach, FL, shares her passing on February 7, 2026. After her journey of 95 years, she succumbed with strength and grace to the insidious disease of Dementia, which stole Loretta of the life and memories she knew and loved. As we mourn her passing, we now celebrate her new life in Heaven reunited with her beloved husband, Frank, who predeceased her on January 2, 1999.

Born in Utica, NY, on September 10, 1930, she was the daughter of John and Carmella Calogiero Basilio. She was raised and educated in Utica, NY and attended Proctor High School. On April 28, 1951, she was united in marriage with Attorney Frank J. Giambona, a union of 47 years, residing in Rome, NY. For many years, she managed the Roman Garden Apartments, a real estate business she and her husband, Frank, owned.

Prior to their moving to Florida, she had been a parishioner of St. John the Baptist Church, Rome, NY and a long-time member and officer of the Church's Christ Child Society. In affiliation with Rome Hospital, she had been a hospital volunteer and treasurer of the Sequoia Twig for many years. She was also a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of The Elks in Ormond Beach, FL.

For a period of time, she and her husband loved spending time at their summer home on Oneida Lake in Sylvan Beach, NY. They began wintering in Daytona Beach, FL and eventually retired there permanently. Loretta loved everything about Daytona Beach – warm temperatures, the view of the ocean from her condominium, walking and riding her bike on the beach, Daytona annual events, Friday night dancing and dinner at the Elks Club and her many dear friends.

A woman of faith, Loretta was a parishioner of Our Lady of Lourdes, Daytona Beach, FL and attended Mass regularly, treasured singing during Mass and was actively involved in church activities and social events.

Loretta was a fashionable lady and always meticulous about her appearance. Coloring was her favorite pastime and her artistic sense of color radiated in her work. Her favorite song was "New York, New York" by Frank Sinatra and whenever played, she would be the first one on the dance floor.

Loretta was born during the Depression into a generation of tough Italian women and the daughter of Italian immigrant parents. Loretta and Frank left their daughters a legacy of strength and hard-working values earning all they had on their own with no handouts.

Loretta was predeceased by her parents, John E. and Carmella (Calogiero) Basilio; sister, Rose M. Basilio, Utica, NY; her brother, Fred F. Basilio and sister-in-law, Barbara, Oneonta, NY; brother, Anthony T. Basilio, Utica, NY; sister, Marie Jo Costa and brother-in-law, Richard H. Costa, New Hartford, NY.

Loretta will be missed by many whose lives she touched, but will be remembered by the wonderful memories of shared times and the social person she was.

She is survived by her daughter, Darleen G. Arcuri and Brad Bliss, Lee Center, NY; daughter and son-in-law, Dyann and Gary R. Scharf, New Hartford, NY; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Loretta's family extends a special thank you to the staff at Masonic Care Community, Dr. Florin Olteanu, for his guidance, compassion and care, the staff of the Westchester Household for their affection, care, respect and support and the many staff members who came to know and love Loretta during her extended residency at Masonic.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m., on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, from St. John the Evangelist Church, 66 Oxford Rd., New Hartford, with Father Matthew Rawson officiating. The family will welcome friends/relatives at the conclusion of Mass. Please consider wearing something blue, which was Loretta's favorite color.

In lieu of flowers, donations, in Loretta's memory, may be made to the Central New York Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, Suite 102, 5015 Campuswood Dr., E. Syracuse, NY 13057 (www.alz.org/centralnewyork). Envelopes will be available at the church. Also, give the gift of life and become an organ donor.

Arrangements are under the direction of R.J. Fahy Funeral Home, Norwich, NY, in cooperation with Volusia Memorial Funeral Home, Ormond Beach, FL.

Dementia stole Loretta's memory and years from her life but her memory will live on in our hearts forever. The more pain we feel with the loss of our parents is an indicator of how much they impacted our lives. Rest in peace, Mom, knowing you were loved and will never be forgotten.

Memories and expressions may be shared at www.fahyfuneralhome.com.