Elisa (Ciocca) Durso

UTICA-Elisa Durso, 91, passed away after a short illness on Tuesday December 27, 2022, at the Masonic Care Community and rejoined her beloved husband in Heaven.

Born in Pontecorvo, Italy, on May 21, 1931, Elisa was the daughter of the late Saverio and Concetta (Iorio) Ciocca. On September 8, 1955, she married Mariano Durso in Pontecorvo, Italy, a blessed union of 66 years. She truly did love Mariano, her companion and love of her life as she only lived 6 months without him. Elisa immigrated to the United States in 1958 to join her husband, Mariano. She embraced her new life in America, learning a different lifestyle and language. But Elisa, true to her heart, retained all her Italian traditions, especially in her cooking. Everything was always prepared from fresh vegetables from her garden. Elisa and Mariano cultivated a garden with many vegetables and herbs. Every Autumn, she canned all her tomatoes, boiled all her greens, and dried many, different kinds of herbs.

Elisa took great care and loved all her grandchildren. She lived life by all simple means but was always dressed well. Her greatest joy was walking every morning, enjoying her espresso with family and friends, and watching “Days of Our Lives”.

Surviving Elisa, are two daughters and sons-in-law, Maria and Robert DeGristina, Utica and Rose and Robert Siriano, New Hartford; her son and daughter-in-law, Paul and Michelle Durso, AZ; five granddaughters, Nancy (Jordan) Polizzi, Melissa (fiancé, Justin Meeker) Siriano, Danielle (John) Fanelli, Dana Siriano and Alyssa (Mark) Nicoletta; grandson, Cody Durso; three precious great-grandsons, John Salvatore Fanelli, Vincent Gennaro Meeker and Joseph Mariano Fanelli and one future great granddaughter, Aria Nicoletta; two sisters, Pina and Vincenza of Italy; two brothers and a sister-in-law, Cesare and Maria Ciocca and Angelo Ciocca, all of Italy. She is also survived by Mariano’s two brothers, Raymond and Anthony Durso, as well as several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. She is also survived by her family in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and across Europe. She was predeceased by her sister, Rosa, in Italy.

Relatives and friends are invited and may call on Thursday, January 5, 2023, from 4-6 pm at The Scala & Roefaro Funeral Home, 1122 Culver Ave, Utica. Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 6, 2023, at 10:30 am at Mt. Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Church where her Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Interment will be in St. Agnes Cemetery, Utica.

Elisa’s family wishes to thank the nurses and staff of St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Unit, St. Elizabeth Medical Center, especially the 4th floor Special Care Unit, Dr. Colon, Dr. Elif Erim and Nachaly Kinch R.N and the staff at the Queens Household at the Masonic Care Community, for their care and compassion shown to Elisa during this difficult time.

In keeping with the family’s wishes, please adhere to all COVID restrictions.