Nancy A. Passalacqua

Nancy A. Passalacqua
Sauquoit
Nancy Ann Passalacqua, 78, of Sauquoit, passed away on Sunday, October 14, 2012, at the St. Luke's Home. Born in Utica on October 21, 1933, Nancy was the daughter of the late Harold and Alice (Miller) Kahler. Raised and educated locally, she was a graduate of Utica Catholic Academy. The early years of Nancy's adult life were reminiscent of a romantic comedy when, on the day they met at Associated Transport, her one true love, Vincent Passalacqua, asked her to marry him. But Nancy didn't accept his proposal--not before Vinnie gave her a proper courtship. Once he showed her he was serious, Nancy finally accepted and the two were married on September 11, 1954 at St. Joseph/St. Patrick Church. Their union lasted more than 56 years. Nancy was a stay-at-home mom with eight children. She took great pride in her family and managed to juggle taking care of her children while maintaining an impecable house and making home-cooked meals every single day. She and Vinnie created great memories for their children including vacations in Cape Cod, and trips to The Enchanted Forest and Santa's Workshop. Nancy's weekend ritual for her children included weekly chores on Saturday mornings and baths on Saturday nights followed by watching The Lawrence Welk Show. Sundays, of course, started out with church and eating "cakes" from the Cloverleaf Dairy. The entire family spent Sunday nights sharing big bowls of popcorn while watching the Disney Movie of the Week. Nancy made the holidays an amazing experience for her children. It was a sight to see eight overflowing Easter baskets spread across the dinner table that Vinnie made to accommodate their family. Every year, Nancy decorated their Christmas tree, which stood ceiling to floor, with a liberal amount of tinsel spread across every branch. Anyone who knew her could appreciate how much pride she took in decorating her tree just right. Nancy created traditions that her children have passed on to their own children. Many involve food (no doubt influenced greatly by Vinnie)--lasagna for New Year's Day, boiled dinner for St. Patrick's Day, Italian Easter cookies and the Italian seafood dinner on Christmas Eve. Christmas also brought loads of Christmas cookies, her coveted cheesecake, Greek cheesecake and Italian cheesecake (cassata). Nancy was an avid gardener. She had beautiful flowers growing all around her yard, and loved showing visitors the fruits of her labor. Many of her children have flowers growing in their gardens that started from a clipping from their mom. During Nancy's childhood years, she loved taking care of horses that her family raised. Many people don't know that she loved ice skating and had dreams of becoming a figure skater. With her strong Catholic upbringing, she also had thoughts of becoming a nun. Nancy was a communicant of the Catholic Community at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Chadwicks. Nancy is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Michele Passalacqua of Yorkville, Renee and Chris Setaro of Appleton, Maine, Denese Rogers of Sauquoit, Jacqui Passalacqua of Utica and Colleen and Lewis Kahler of Utica; and her sons and daughter-in-law, Vincent R. and Donna Passalacqua, Jr., of Cassville, John Passalacqua of Cedar Lake and Dr. Stephen Passalacqua of Sauquoit; her sister, Jeannette Walker; her brothers and sister-in-law, Edward Kahler of North Brookfield, and Raymond and Patricia Kahler of Oriskany. She also is survived by twelve grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Survivors also include her Goddaughters Karen Czerkies and Deidre Mealey; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Vincent Passalacqua Sr. on December 29, 2010; her sister and brother-in-law, Marie and Melvin Wurth; and two sons-in-law, William Mathews and Norman Rogers. The family extends a heartfelt thanks to the nurses and nurses aides at the St. Luke's Home who went above and beyond to provide quality care to Nancy. Visitation will be held Tuesday (today) from 4-7 p.m. at Smith Funeral Home, 3022 Oneida St., Sauquoit. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Nancy's Mass of Christian Burial, which will be celebrated Wednesday at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick's-St. Anthony's Parish in Chadwicks. Entombment will take place in Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum at the convenience of the family.