Clara Orsi

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Clara Orsi, who left us on February 15,2025. Clara was predeceased by her husband, Ernest, and her son, Edward. Left to cherish her memories are her children: Veronica Orsi and her husband Robert Giglio, Catherine Prezioso and her husband Alan, and Joseph Orsi and his wife Gina. Clara was loving Nanny to five grandsons: Eddie Orsi Jr. and his wife Teresa, Alex Prezioso and his wife Bree, Nick Prezioso and his wife Theresa, Joey Orsi, and Christopher Orsi and his wife Beth. Nanny's heart was big enough to hold the love of seven great-grandchildren: Eddie Orsi III,Brayden, Landon, and Avery Prezioso, Nicholas and Daniel Prezioso, and Annabelle Orsi. Clara was also Nanny to extended family members Jamie, Zuzana, Ellie, and Noah Blaise. She will also be remembered fondly and with love by her niece, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and friends.
Clara was born on August 31, 1922, in Malsch, Germany, the daughter of Joseph and Veronika Hitscherich, and the sister of Eugene (deceased). Clara came to America in 1928 and grew up in the Bronx, NY. She graduated from St. Vincent's School of Nursing, where she became head nurse of the emergency room, thus beginning a lifelong career in the medical field. Clara also earned a BA in English and a MA in English Literature just for the fun of it! She established a jewelry business, The Bead Lady, and made custom earrings and necklaces for jewelry shops and craft stores in the Adirondack region. Family and friends continue to wear and enjoy her beautiful custom creations.
Clara completed a Master Gardener Program, judged 4H flower shows, engaged in community garden projects and was involved in local garden clubs. She passed on her love of gardening to her children, a love that kept her active well into her late 90s. Plants from her extensive iris collection continue to grow in gardens in eight states across America. in 2011, her husband Ernest passed away and she continued to live independently in Wilmington, NY, enjoying a very active social life. Clara loved spending time with family and friends, overnight trips with her daughters, church functions, shopping,and going out to lunch. Clara was game for anything!
In 2017, Clara moved to Middletown, NY, and lived with her daughter Catherine and son-in-law Alan. Here she continued to enjoy an active social calendar. Clara's 100th birthday celebration was a beautiful and memorable event, a true testament to a loving and remarkable woman. We will cherish these memories forever.
Our heartfelt thanks to the dedicated staff of Middletown Park Rehab. The staff on Unit 6 provided our mother with compassionate care and kindness these past two years. We are deeply grateful.
Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm on Monday, March 3, 2025 at Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home, Inc, 130 Highland Avenue, Middletown, NY 10940. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 am on Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at Holy Cross Church, 626 County Roaute 22, Middletown, NY 10940. Burial will follow in the family plot in Ascension Cemetery in Airmont, NY
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the food pantry of Holy Cross Church in Middletown, NY, or a food pantry of your choice. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Clara, please visit our Tree Store.