Elizabeth Della Vecchia

Elizabeth Della Vecchia passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at the age of 93. We rejoice that she is now in heaven – her eternal home, safely in the arms of Jesus.

Elizabeth was born in Paolisi, Benevento, Italy on April 19, 1932, the daughter of Joseph and Raffelina D'Onofrio.

Elizabeth came to the United States in 1951 and later returned to Italy where she married Raffaele "Ralph" Della Vecchia on August 14, 1955. When they returned to the United States they settled in Mount Vernon, NY before moving to Mahopac, NY in 1996.

Elizabeth worked as a school crossing guard for the City of Mount Vernon and also as an assembler for an electrical manufacturing company and seamstress for a dress factory all in Mount Vernon. She and her family were dedicated members of Fortress Bible Church in Mount Vernon for many years. Later Elizabeth faithfully attended Mission Church in Holmes, NY.

Family was very important to Elizabeth, and she always enjoyed spending time with them. She was an excellent cook and practiced the gift of hospitality on a regular basis. It would not be unusual for her to have family and friends over for Sunday meals or to provide lodging for missionaries and friends of her children and grandchildren. Elizabeth also enjoyed gardening, shopping, singing Christian hymns, and her varied game shows. She was an avid animal lover and over the years provided a home for many different dogs, cats, birds, and other more unusual pets (just NO snakes!)

Elizabeth is survived by her children, Sarina Klaver and her husband, Steve of N. Richland Hills, TX; Anthony of Carmel, NY; Lydia Ceron and her husband, Alberto of Milford, CT and David and his wife, Alison of Somers, NY; her sisters, Anna Vicari (Frank) of Fredericksburg, VA and Lucy Perrotta of Yorktown Heights, NY as well as her 6 beloved grandchildren, Elisa, Jillian, Alessandra, Rachel, Daniel and Jordan, and 4 great grandchildren, Garrett, Micah, Isaac and Caden. She was predeceased by her husband, Ralph on June 5, 2006, and her brother, Isaia D'Onofrio in January of this year.

Visitation will be held on Friday, August 29 at Joseph J. Smith Funeral Home, 692 US Route 6, Mahopac, NY 10541 from 4 – 8 p.m. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, August 30 at 10 a.m. at the funeral home with entombment to follow at the Rosewood Mausoleum of Ferncliff Cemetery, Hartsdale, NY.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Elizabeth to Samaritan's Purse https://www.samaritanspurse.org or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital https://www.stjude.org

"Peace, I leave you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27 NIV