Philomena E. DeLucia

Philomena “Phil” E. DeLucia, 90, passed away in the late evening hours on Friday, March 2, 2018, at the Compassionate Care Hospice in Hamilton, New Jersey, after a very brief stay. Born March 27, 1927, in Amsterdam, New York, Philomena was the youngest daughter of the late Antonio and Carmela (Fiata) Scialdone. Soon after her birth, the family moved to Glens Falls, as her father found employment there. They purchased a home at 39 Walnut Street and Philomena would spend the next 79 years of her life in Glens Falls. Growing up on Walnut Street provided Philomena with an idyllic childhood. Everything that she needed in life was readily available to her and well within walking distance. From her childhood friends, to Fiore’s corner store, to Villa’s Bakery, which was almost across the street, she was always surrounded by family and friends. After graduating from St. Mary’s Academy in 1945, Philomena would eventually find employment working as a sales associate for the women’s store Merkel & Gelman, the store of “Cheerful Service.” Known as “Shelly” to her coworkers and customers alike, she epitomized the store’s motto. An eternal optimist, Philomena always saw the glass as half full, and approached everything in life from that perspective. Her positive outlook was contagious and immediately apparent to family and friends. She would never let anything get her down, was always in a good mood, and was a very happy and loving person. It was while on vacation in Italy in 1957, that she met her future husband, Francesco DeLucia, a police officer with the Polizia Stradale – the National Highway Patrol of Italy, a sub-directorate of the Italian State Police. The two soon married, and with Frank’s moving to Glens Falls, they began their life together which would last until his passing in 2015. The couple had two children, a daughter Anna Maria, and a son, Salvatore. Philomena was a devoted daughter, wife, mother and grandmother. For her, family was one of the two most important and precious things in her life. The other was her Catholic faith. Having been raised in a devoutly Catholic family, faith played a central role in her life. Her day always began with prayer, and when she was no longer able to attend Mass, she faithfully watched it on EWTN. A member of the Catholic Daughters of America, she, along with her older sister Nicolina and others, took yearly pilgrimages to St. Anne’s in Quebec, Canada. In addition, Philomena was an avid golfer and enjoyed spending the day with her friends on the links. She found golfing as a great way to relax, to get some exercise and to catch up with friends. In 2006, she and Frank moved to New Jersey so they could be closer to their children and grandchildren. Being able to see her grandchildren grow up filled Philomena with joy. She was predeceased by her husband, Francesco, and sister, Nicolina. Philomena leaves behind a loving family. She is survived by a son, Salvatore; her daughter Anna Maria and her husband Paul Schatzel; a granddaughter, Alexa Schatzel; two grandsons, Andrew and Michael Schatzel; and a cousin, Nicholas Scialdone. Philomena was truly a beautiful person, in every sense. She will be missed every day. Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated on Friday, March 9 at 11:00 AM at the Sacred Heart Church, 260 High St., Mount Holly, NJ Friends may visit with the family on Friday from 9:30-10:30 AM at the Perinchief Chapels, 438 High St., Mount Holly, NJ 08060. Burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Glens Falls, NY will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Philomena’s name to the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital (www.stjude.org), 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Philomena E. DeLucia

March 27, 1927 - March 2, 2018