Eleanor M. Castagnaro

Eleanor (Giordano) Castagnaro,100, of Westerly, beloved wife of the late John Castagnaro Sr., passed away gracefully, March 2nd, 2025 in the presence of her daughters, Joan Castagnaro-Smith, Carla Castagnaro, grandson Jacob Castagnaro and devoted granddaughter, Crystal Young. Ellie also leaves grandson Jamie Castagnaro. She was predeceased by her parents, Joseph and Josephine (Ragusa) Giordano, as well as her only son John Castagnaro, Jr. She was also predeceased by four sisters and two brothers.
Ellie's husband John was her one and only true love. While John was serving in WWII, they wrote the most beautiful love letters to one another. Joan was lucky to find them in the attic one day while helping her mom, and together they read them aloud laughing and crying. A day never to be forgotten. Ellie cherished those letters. When the war ended, they married in 1946. They spent nearly 60 years together. They truly were each other's world.
Elly loved raising their three children and in later years traveling to Bermuda and Florida. Her first job at 15 years old was at The First National Store in Pawcatuck, CT as a cashier so she could help her mom.
She gave her children and grands the world, never lacking for anything. If anyone suffered a loss or needed help, she was right there. Cooking was her love language. No one would go without food, no matter the circumstances. People still tell of the enormous baked stuffed lobsters and beautifully stuffed artichokes. Anything you wanted this remarkable lady would give you the world. To this very day, we have never found a cook or chef that worked magic with everything she touched.
But above all that, family was everything to Ellie. She was a doting mother to Johnny, Joany and baby sis Carla. She was a cherished grandmother to Jessica Young, and to her adoring granddaughter Crystal Young, with whom she was inseparable. Crystal lovingly referred to G'ma as her "Queen" and fiercely fought for Elly's dignity and care as she grew older with the help of Crystal's partner, Anthony G Petteruti, without question. Wherever Ellie was, Crystal was right by her side.
Ellie was also great-grandmother to Anthony E. Petteruti whose middle name was chosen by her when he was born. The bond those two have will forever be unbreakable.
Ellie was also great-grandmother to Kayla White and Gina Buck.
Her family mourns the loss of the most important woman in their lives. Her love, heart, compassion, class and elegance, and her devotion to help anyone will never be forgotten nor replaced.
Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, March 13th, 2025, from 12noon - 1:30pm at Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home, located at 59 Spruce St, Westerly, RI. Funeral service and burial will be private. For online condolences please visit www.gaffneydolanfuneralhome.com