Edith R. (Roscia) Poccia

– Mrs. Edith R. Poccia passed away peacefully on Saturday July 17, 2021 at the Masonic Care Center, with her family by her side, just four weeks shy of her 97th birthday.  She lived a long and wonderful life filled with family and friends.

Edith was born in Utica, on August 12, 1924, the daughter of the late Angelo and Ida (Salerno) Roscia.  She attended Utica schools and graduated from T. R. Proctor High School/Class of 1941.  She also received a business degree from the Utica School of Commerce/Class of 1942, after which she worked as a secretary for the law firm Judson & Jones for 10 years before leaving to focus her energy on raising her family.  Once her children were grown, she rejoined the work force and was employed by Utica College for seven years, followed by Mohawk Valley Community College for two years.  She retired in 1973.

Edith will be missed by so many whose lives she touched during her 96 years and, in return, they are left with wonderful memories of the times they shared together.  She is survived by her devoted daughters and son-Valerie (Andrew) Bevivino of New Hartford, NY; Nancy (Edward) Harding of Batavia, NY; and Emory (Meg) Poccia, Jr. of Rochester, NY.  She also leaves her sister, Inez Paravati of Utica, NY as well as six grandchildren whom she adored - Kristin (Stephen) Bergholtz of Pittsford, NY; Stephanie Coleman of Los Angeles, CA; Kimberly Harding of Rochester, NY; Luke Harding of Attica, NY; Carly Poccia and fiancé John Lapple of Pittsford, NY, and Emory Poccia, III of Rochester, NY. Edith also leaves her two great grandchildren, Christopher and Madelyn Bergholtz of Pittsford, NY, her dear friend Anne Puleo, and many special nieces and nephews.

Edith was predeceased by her beloved husband, Emory P. Poccia, to whom she was married for 57 years, from April 23, 1949 until his death in 2006.  She joins him in heaven along with her brother, John J. Roscia, her grandson, Edward Harding, Jr., and her friend of over 88 years, Elisabethe Coria.

The family would like to express their gratitude to her caretakers over the last five years – Gina Anderson, Shirley Bristol, and Shirley Yaddow. Their love, concern, and devoted care allowed her to stay in her home until February 2021.  For that, we are forever grateful.

We would also like to thank all the staff of the Troy Household at the Masonic Care Community for the excellent care and love given to Edith during her final months.

Thank you to Dr. Naji El Khoury, M.D. for his many years of care during Edith’s lifetime.

In keeping with Edith’s wishes, there will be no public visitation.  Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Edith’s Mass of Christian Burial held on Tuesday, July 20, 2021 at 11:00 am, at Mt. Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Church. Private entombment will be in Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum.

In Edith’s memory and in lieu of flowers, please consider donations to her beloved late grandson’s scholarship at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), where he received a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering.  Donations can be sent to: Rochester Institute of Technology, Attn: Risa Robinson (Ted Harding Memorial Fund), Mechanical Engineering Department, 76 Lomb Memorial Drive, Rochester, NY 14623.  Checks may be made payable to Rochester Institute of Technology (in note: Ted Harding Memorial Fund).  Envelopes will also be available at church.

“If there ever comes a day when we can’t be together, keep me in your heart, I’ll stay there forever.” -A.A. Milne