Elizabeth Ann Gaetano

Age 95, died peacefully in her sleep at her daughter Christina’s home on April 24,2025. She was born October 20, 1929 in Sheridan Pennsylvania, daughter of Domenica Capone and Vincenzo Brandimarti. Elizabeth, (Pierina her Italian given name) was the youngest daughter of eight children and a member of the “ Greatest Generation”.

Her father Vincenzio, along with his wife, Domenica, and his two brothers Giorgio and Domenic, and his sister Genieveve emigrated from Northern Italy looking for the American Dream. In the early 20th century they left their hometowns of Acquasanta (Brandimarti Village) and Ascoli Piceno in the Marche Region of Northern Italy.

Her father, Vincenzio, had worked for the railroads and bought a large home with a small farm in the hills overlooking Pittsburgh. Her mother Domenica, and father sponsored and supported other Italian immigrants and had them as boarders in their home. They had a large garden encompassing two blocks, an outdoor oven to bake bread and can vegetables, and a cow, goats, pigs and chickens.

They taught their children the value of the work ethic, who in turn passed it to their children and grandchildren. Elizabeth’s sisters would milk the cow and deliver fresh milk to the neighborhood every morning before school. All of her brothers served in the US military in various branches, and the 2 eldest saw front line action in World War II. Elizabeth would say to her children and nieces and nephews “We were poor but didn’t know it…. we were happy.”

She married Samuel Salvatore Gaetano in Holy Innocence Church, Sheridan PA on June 25, 1955 after Samuel returned from serving in WWII and the Korean War as a Master Sergeant in the US Army Air Force. Samuel was also the son of Italian immigrants, Giovanna Bruno and Salvatore Gaetano who also immigrated to America from Nicastro, Calabria Italy. His father, Salvatore rose to the rank of head foreman of Hubbards Steel Company in Pittsburgh in the 1930s and 1940s. Elizabeth was a welcomed member of this first generation Gaetano family.

Samuel, Elizabeth’s husband proposed marriage to her at Kennywood Park and told her “We will make beautiful children together”. They raised four biological children, before adopting their fifth and were driven to instill in them the values they cherished; hard work, kindness, honesty, acceptance and generosity. Elizabeth would say that no matter the grave or challenging circumstances you’re facing- “ tomorrow is a new day, you’ll wake up the next morning, put on a pot of coffee and go to work”. Elizabeth and Samuel considered their work and jobs as blessings. Their children and grandchildren embraced these values and achieved academic and professional accomplishments to include engineers, senior level corporate managers, business owners and entrepreneurs, nurses and builders.

Elizabeth, affectionately known as Bette, also embraced education and her career. However her first love was being a mother and grandmother which is why she accepted her husband’s marriage proposal and his dream to create beautiful children. Bette and Sam would go on to share 50 years together, before his passing in 2001. They loved their family deeply and were always there to help them in every way. They were the definition of unconditional love for their family and friends.

Bette had a 43 year professional career, starting as a stenographer for the US Bureau of Mines. Most of her career was spent as a secretary for the US Postal Service where she made many lifelong loving friends throughout her 4 decades there as a committed and accomplished employee. Lifelong friends included Pat Sullivan, Barbara Lukowski, Mary Ann Kosport, Wilma Haney, Nancie Cheskey, and Mary Goldblatt to name a few. She was always willing to go the extra mile, by volunteering for events, writing letters in support of workers and rights or taking the extra challenging shift. She was among the first wave of women hired with the US Postal Service where beforehand the men were serving as secretaries.

Bette and Sam’s home was host to many garden parties, pool parties, holiday celebrations and birthdays for their family, friends and extended family. Bette found the lot and she and Sam built a custom home in the Crafton heights community. There she made lifelong neighborhood friends to include the Millers, Barths, Hayes, DiCiccos, and Bombasarros. Bette has dozens of beloved nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and nephews, and their children. Special godchildren include Carol Swanson, Deb Greco Brandy, and Shirley Leonard Leto. She lived at the family home for 65 years and she and Sam extended remarkable generosity to all their guests.

Bette showed an independent, strong and determined spirit. She and Sam were a shining example to everyone of the importance of family and open arms. Bette was eloquent with the written word and she loved reading, particularly magazines when they were in vogue such as Time, Newsweek, Esquire, Look, Readers Digest, National Geographic and many others delivered regularly to her home. Also, we can’t forget the Sears catalogue which also arrived since Bette was the ultimate gift-giver. Bette radiated elegance and touched the hearts of those who knew her. Her passing represents an “end of an era” for our family.

Bette was preceded in death by her devoted and beloved husband Samuel S. Gaetano; her revered siblings : Amelia (Alfred) Somerville, Mary (Sam) Valicenti, Raymond (Pauline Schillo) Brandy, Rose (William) Stokes, George (Ruth Adamiak) Brandy, Anthony (Janice Kocka) Brandy, and Vincent (Marge Kunkel) Brandy Jr. And her husband’s cherished siblings and their spouses: Patsy (June Knaur) Gaetano, Antoinette (Bernard) Leonard, Louise (Daniel) Belsito, Mary (Al) Walker.

She is survived by her loving children: Joyce Ann Gaetano, Samuel (Amy Anne Mascaro) Gaetano, Fran Gaetano Zellat, Dino Joseph (Kimbely Ann Homer) Gaetano, Christina Michelle (Ronald Sr.) Gombita: and her adored grandchildren: Marissa Ann (Brian) Cartiff, Samuel Vincent (Amy Homer) Gaetano, Carli Nicole Gaetano, Luke Anthony (Kiana Gieger) Gaetano, Ronald Lee (Hailey Zeiler) Gombita Jr. and Dominic Joseph Gombita. Also survived by surrogate son and special friend, Frank Rupert, sister in law Janice Brandy, cousin Alice Brandy and many cherished, adored and loved nieces, nephews, and friends.

Family and friends are welcome Sunday, April 27, 2025, from 2-4 & 6-8 PM, WILLIAM SLATER II FUNERAL SERVICE, 1650 Greentree Road, Scott Township, 15220 (412-563-2800) Mass of Christian Burial, Monday, April 28, 2025, 10 AM in SS Simon & Jude Church, St. Raphael the Archangel Parish. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. www.slater funeral.com