Estella Cirincione Mantia

1935 - 2023

Estella Cirincione Mantia passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Sunday, October 8, 2023. She was born to Antonio Cirincione and Luisa Cantoni Cirincione on May 16, 1935, in Alia, a province of Palermo, in Sicily, Italy. She was preceded in death by her husband, Agostino Mantia, grandson Joey Mantia, and her parents. She is survived by her younger brother Salvatore Cirincione (Marisa), who resides in their hometown of Alia. Estella, or "Nonna", as she was lovingly known by her family and community, received her bachelor's in early childhood education in Palermo. She immigrated to the United States with her husband and found a welcoming community in New Orleans. She taught herself English and cooking. She and her husband founded Agostino's Italian Restaurant where her delicious recipes were enjoyed by many. After her husband's unexpected passing at an early age, she devoted the rest of her life to her grandchildren, family, friends, and volunteering. She spent many years leading the St. Joseph's Altar with the Italian-American Cultural Society, preparing thousands of cookies and endless pasta for the yearly celebration. Estella spent her free time volunteering to support her grandchildren's schools, local charities, and the opera. She was an avid gardener and a member of her local garden club. She could often be found in her kitchen meticulously cooking and baking, and teaching her grandchildren her recipes while sprinkling in life lessons and stories from her past. She was a lover of the arts and fashion, often traveling to New York and Austria for ballets and operas dressed in the most opulent attire. She will always be remembered for her elaborate and special meals, fiery spirit, fierce love for her family, and devotion to the Blessed Mother. She showed everyone she met how limitless love could be. She will be greatly missed by her three children: Giuseppe Mantia, Maria Naccari (Brian), and Anthony Mantia (Sylvia). She is also survived by her 6 grandchildren: Derek Naccari (Brandi), Leigh-Ann Naccari (Jacob), Kelsey Naccari Kelley (Michael), Marisa Naccari (Jeffery), Natalee Mantia, and Nicholas Mantia, and 4 great-grandchildren: Grayson Naccari, Oliver Naccari, Michael Kelley III, and Grace Kelley. The family would like to thank the employees of the Fidelis House on Kent Street and The St. Joseph Carpenter House for their loving compassionate care. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the visitation at Greenwood Funeral Home, 5200 Canal Blvd., New Orleans, on Monday, October 16, 2023, starting at 9:00 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass in the Chapel at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Lake Lawn Park Mausoleum. The family invites you to share your thoughts, fond memories, and condolences online, at www.greenwoodfh.com.