7/21/2023  

4 Years in Heaven Mom! 💕😇!

It seems like yesterday that you were here calling my name, 
joking and laughing.   Coming with us on all our outing having fun.

Not a day does not go by that we think about you both.

You will always have a special place in in our hearts always.
 Until we see you both again, we love you guys.   💕

Keep watching 😇 over us always.

Love Jamie, Joey & Joanna

Thinking about you I miss you so much. 

Love you xoxoxo

The best passenger in the world. I love and miss you everyday day along with all the other special people in my life. You really were golden. 

I can’t tell you how hard today 😘 I hope you are happy to be with Dad
Love you both 😘🙏🏻

Though belated, it was lovely to come upon the family memories of Aunt Clara, who looked just as I remembered her in the first photograph posted with Uncle Buddy.  Warmhearted and humorous with a glint of mischief in her eye, she always was very sweet to her nieces and nephews.  My brother Anthony and I spoke about Aunt Clara this evening and remembered her kindness most fondly. I can see that this tendency continued with her own children,  grand and great grandchildren.  She had a long and fruitful life which brought joy, care, attention, and fun to her family and inspired their great love for her.  And as  Aunt Clara often communicated to the very young me, even the smallest things can only happen "if God wants."  


From the first day Jamie brought me home to meet you and Dad, I Knew what a strong, wonderful person you was, you loved unconditionally and always said what was on your mind.  We hit it off and became friends from the start. As time went on you be became closer to me. More than just a Mother in Law but like a Mom and a Son rather than a Son in law.  First and for most there are no words to express to thank you for help taking care of our Joanna those memories will l last a lifetime We have had many lifetime experiences  and trips. All with fun and laughter, good times and bad times but with got through them all. From the car shows, Disney, Hershey or even out to dinner.  From going to your favorite place Tony’s Pizza (Ernie’s) for dinner or just out for a ride. You always wanted to be there. Yes you enjoyed being with us.  My best memory is that you always said I have lots of friends invite them over, FYI those friends most of them were our friends and they loved you dearly. When people ask how many we are in our family we always said 4. It’s going to be hard because I can’t remember a time that you were not with us until now. Thank you for being party of family.  You ran a good race and at the end you are with Dad. Rest in peace. 

You will be miss very much and will always be near us in our hearts forever.

Love Always, your son Joe

Let's talk about Mom and Dad .  When Dad passed we were all taught how strong Mom was.
Our Mom was there for all of us.
When my sister Francine told us she was going to have a baby you were think Mom was reborn. She told me now she would have another grandchild to help and be there when they need her . So Mom and Aunt Jean got together and said we are here for my sister and my brother in law . Since my brother in law Peter and our family both have lost our Dads . So Mom and Aunt Jean became a team. Even after all the grand kids were all grown they were still a team...
As my Dad and Mom was there for my sons Carmine and Jimmy..
     My Mom was always about her kids and grand kids.  Over the years
My Mom took all of us on cruise..
This was her way of keeping us together and be a part of each other life..
My Mom was like no other . She always had a place for anyone who needed it..
As her oldest daughter I feel like my life in sum way is the same....
       When last year . I feel and broke my wrist and had to have a plate put in my hand .. All Mom and I talk about was planning a trip for the family when I would have settled my case😊.
           But one of my best times was when Mom came to stay with my son Jimmy.. We had a great time we went to see the Dolphin s and went shopping .. we went to Target and I tough Mom to drive the shopping cart. 
            I could write for days and it still could not tell you how great of a Mom and Dad we had . I thank God that we were luckiest to have such a great set of Parents.
           Now both of them are with God together.
             I want you to know you are in my heart ❤️ 
Love you 
Irene your oldest daughter ❤️❤️❤️

From the moment I met you it was clear how much you loved all your grandchildren, you could just see the light in your eyes for them. Fortunately, they loved you back the same way, unconditionally. You always made us laugh with some of the things you would say. Also I admire how sharp you still were even in your golden years!

When we returned home I realized Jimmy had brought home your clock,  at ten to the hour every hour it makes a chime.  At first I thought it was gonna drive me crazy, but now I realize that it is refreshing to hear. This will be a constant reminder that you will always be with us!!  

 I must take a minute to thank you for helping raise the man of my dreams!!  You will be missed dearly. Love you Nanny Clara!  💗💕

XOXOXO   Jessifer 

Ever since I can remember, Mom and Dad opened their hearts and home to someone. They were the epiphany of caregivers.  
Beginning with Mom caring for Grandma Cioffi who suffered from high blood pressure and taking my Dad’s baby sister Lucille to school and dance. Growing up there was always a house guest. Someone needing a home. House guests ranged from uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins or friends. People stayed for short times or years. Aunt Florrie’s mom sister lived with us and then Uncle Jake.  
Dad suffered a heart attack and eventually had open heart surgery in the 70s, Mom was his caregiver. When Dad went to heaven, I was certain I lost both my parents. Dad did everything! 32 years later, she survived sadly without him. I know it was hard, but she did. I admired her. She dug deep deep deep and found her courage, strength and determination to go on. She was stronger than I gave her credit for being.  
Mom raised all her grandchildren. How many people have this on their resume?  It was a fact she proudly shared with everyone. Every day of my life, I will be grateful for my parents sacrifices. My children were blessed for Mom to help raise them together with Mom Jean. My children had the very best childhood because of them – how blessed they are to have both their grandmothers as second mothers!
Mom and Dad will be missed every day of our lives. They were extraordinary parents and role models. I am who I am because of both of you. I will look for them in each of our family members seeing their courage, love, kindness, integrity, strength, goodness, pride, loyalty, appreciation, and most importantly our heavenly Father Jesus and Blessed Mother. Pieces of Mom and Dad are part of each of us.
Mom, you fought a good fight, may you rest in peace in the arms of the love of your life our Dad, Buddy.  All my love always; till we meet again your devoted daughter Francine


In February 2019, Ari and I started to announce that we were expecting a baby in August. We waited until Juleeana’s Christening to wait to see Aunt Clara in person so that we could share the news. When I walked over to her to tell her, I told her “I’m having a baby” and put her hand on my stomach and I remember her face the exact moment that it dawned on her what I was telling her. 

Her eyes filled with tears, and her face was full of pure, genuine joy for us. She was so incredibly happy and her reaction to our news will stay with me forever. I know that in that moment, it was as if her own grandchild was sharing the news and I am grateful to have had someone in my life that cared so much about us and our future baby. 

It was Christmas Day, and Mom Jean was downstairs in her apartment and Clara would not take no for an answer. With her bad leg, she took her walker, and with her aide, went down the stairs to make sure she saw Mom Jean. They shared Christmas dinner together on a single snack table and Clara fed Mom Jean her dinner. I will never forget that she did that and didn’t leave her alone that day.

Nanny, it’s been a month now since you’ve been gone and I realized a lot. Life keeps happening and hard times will always come, but those who we have lost, never truly leave us. I know you’re above us right now watching over all of us. I always felt like I never got to spend as much time with you as my father, uncle, or cousins, but somehow I still got all of your teachings, through Dad and Unkie. They passed along your values and traditions to me and in a way you’ve shaped me to be the man I am today.  I love you so much and I will keep you as my guardian angel in my car, always reminding me to “Drive Safely Grandson”.  I hope I grabbed the right deck of cards and your tissue isn’t full yet. Love your Great Grandson, Brandon ❤️

As a son-in-law I couldn’t have asked for better in-laws. Mom and Dad treated me like a son. I was truly blesed to have their unconditional love in my life. 

 I will miss her so very much.💝

Family is the one word I would use to describe Grandma.  She was at the height of her happiness when surrounded by her family.    Family was her most significant legacy.     

Grandma was a natural caregiver who prided herself for being part of raising all her grandchildren ... she was our greatest gift.   I was blessed being raised by her and my Grandma Jean.  These magnificent women are part of me ... my best parts ... integrity, kindness, loyalty, strength, passion and family values.   

As an artist, she was my greatest cheerleader.  She wanted to see and be apart of EVERYTHING I created thru my years at high school and college.  Her ambitious for me to do well made me more passionate about my work.    

It was important for her grandchildren to secure a job.  She wanted us to be independent.  Grandma had a solid work ethic.  Working was the only acceptable reason for not coming to see her.  

Grandma Clara was passionate about being part of our lives ... she cared about everything we experienced.  She was the best listener even though she had limited hearing.  Grandma wanted to know EVERYTHING big or small, funny or sad, bad or good, gossip or truth.

Grandma, I know you will always be my guardian angel, knowing all and being my protector.  

I love you for eternity, although my Earth will never be the same without you.   

PS....I know in my heart of hearts, I over trumped Anthony as your favorite LOL

My grandma is the light of my life. Whenever, I was in a bad mood I would go visit her and instantly feel better. We would talk about everything and anything. Sometimes I would just listen while she talked. We had a special connection. She always knew when something was bothering me.  Growing up I was lucky to have two grandmothers help raise me. They watched me grow up. They took me to school, took care of me when I was sick, and found pleasure in spending time with my sister and I. I have fond memories of the times I spend together with them. Weekly trips to the bowling alley with Grandma Jean and playing cards with Grandma Clara. Letting her win because she would get upset if she didn’t win at least one game. These are two of the countless memories we had together. Even though my heart is heavy and will be for quite some time. I take pleasure in knowing that she is up there watching over me in heaven finally able to actually hear my voice instead of just reading my lips. Goodbye Grandma I love you tremendously. My world will never be the same now that you are gone.

Grandma, I know if you were here right now you wouldn’t be able to hear me and say “what’d she say” to the person sitting next to you. But I hope you are listening. My grandma had a heart of gold, she would always be so willing to share that love with whoever walked through the door. Grandma thought of others before herself, for years not only did she take care of her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, but she took after other children that were considered grandchildren. For 21 years, I was blessed to never come home to an empty home. There was always the TV blasting, or the sweet sound of her screaming my moms name. The earliest memory I could remember is that should would pick me up from school everyday, as well as the other grandchildren. When grandma watched us, she would always need to know where we were and till this day, I have to tell someone when I go to the bathroom because that’s what she taught us to do.  Grandma would spend many late nights outside playing uno with our friends just because she didn’t want to miss out on anything. Anytime grandma had the chance to go out, she took full advantage of it. She would sit in the passenger's seat of my car and say “Joanna you drive so well, just keep driving,” and that’s because she did not want to go home.She had a song for everything, and would randomly sing throughout the day. Even if the song made no sense at all, she was smiling while she sang it. If you were to ask grandma if something is wrong, she would reply and say “what is there a crowd around?”Grandma, you will be tremendously missed. I will miss coming home from work, & you telling me to go rest &  make sure I eat something. I will miss when I get sick, & just use to come sit on your lap no matter how big I got. I wish I could hear you yell at me one more time.  Thank you for touching my life as a grandmother, a second mother, & a best friend. You forever left an impact on the person I am today. 
Your granddaughter Joanna Claire




My mom was my Strength and my Rock. My mom as well as my dad taught me to love unconditionally, “to forgive but never forget”.  Mom was my example of love and kindness, everyone she touch and spoke to, and she shared her love. Thinking of others before herself. For years not only did she take care of her grandchildren but other children as well that she considered her grandchildren. 
I myself was like my mother, she was married, and taking care of her family. Then her mother, my grandmother Julia, got sick and there was mom taking care of her mother first, then her family she was my example of devotion and compassion. Not knowing that she was example of the Sandwich generation. 
I know that looking back I would not change a thing. I know my family understands why I did it and is beside me. Plus the choice I made that mom wanted. 
Some memories that will bring me laughs forever is is her saying she “had lots of friends and invite them over.” All those friends she had, were my family’s friends, but they loved her and the great person she was. When people saw my husband with mother, they would say “you have a great mother in law” and I would just laugh. They all thought Joey was her son,  he loved her so much that it show. I agree and said yes I do.
May mom rest in peace with dad our angels and in our hearts forever we love you Mom.  
Your daughter, Jamie



Clara and I always had great times, talking and laughing. She was so much fun to hang out with and always made us feel welcomed. I remember when I used to come over to the house and Clara, Cathy, and I would walk to Key Food. She was an amazing woman and will be dearly missed. 

My Mom
  There are no word to explain what a GREAT MOTHER  she was .. I Wish I could have spent more time together. There are no words to say we are going to miss her ❤️❤️❤️

Grandma was more like a mother to us. Not only did she take care of us but, She taught us how to take care of ourselves. Whether it was cooking, cleaning, sawing, ironing ... we have more life skills then most of our friends. 

Growing up she was our best friend, we had grandma play games like cops and robbers or cowboys and Indians. She was willing to do anything to keep us from fighting & occupied. When we were younger my grandfather nick named us “Spark and Plug”.. 

Some of the things she would say were “if you don’t have anything nice to say, then don’t say nothing at all” or “you know you attract more bees with honey, than vinegar” grandma was never shy to let you know how she felt. She would usually start by saying “please don’t get upset but ......” or “not for nothing ......” 

One thing most of us have in common is grandma took care of all of us. Never once did she put her life or love for grandpa aside. If there was a kid involved grandma was there. 

I could write for days on how amazing of a woman she was but if your reading this you already know. Please don’t ever forget her and always keep her in your prayers. 

Love you & Say hello to all of our loved ones.. especially grandpa 

To my family,

I can't remember a day that Clara wasn't in my life.  Before my brother Buddy and Clara were married my mother gave birth to me.  With five older boys there was never enough time or hands to go around.  Without being asked Clara helped my Mom.  When mom Irene was not well she took care of her too.

She always stepped up.  Clara decided to help my Mom by walking me to school,  picking me up, as well as, taking me to dance lessons for many years never complaining. Just quietly did her job caring for me.  

Clara was the fun sister-in-law.   Always ready to play, go to the park, being silly and never complaining.  She was so proud to say when introducing me that I was her sister and she raised me, since she was in the family before birth.

Also, on my wedding day, she rode to the church with me in the limo to be at my side as my mom was in heaven.  Again, she stepped up to the plate.

For those who don't know Clara she was the master of the one liners:  "i.e. when you are the boss you aren't the boss; i.e. if you come you do me a favor, if you don't come you do me two favors".  

We know the last few years have been difficulty; your girls took right after you with no complaints about taking care of their mom.  

I don't know how you say goodbye to someone like Clara. I guess you just pray that she be happy and safe with the love of her life my brother Buddy, Mom and Dad, Skippy, Joe, and Sal.  Thank you for being the best you could.  

I do know that we will miss Clara especially seeing her at the stove with a cowboy hat and two six shooters on her hips while taking care of the kids.  

I will always remember Clara being part of my life and my children's.  She was there for them like she was for me and never missed a soccer game or an awards dinner.  As my mom would say, "Clara would never miss a trick."

Clara, I love you and thank you ALWAYS being a major part of my life.   Your sister Lucille.  


Nana Clara ,I’m Thankful for all the wonderful memories we had. You have a heart of Gold and a Ray of Sunshine. You shined bright like your favorite color “yellow” . And most of all I’m thankful because you loved And cared for me and my Kids. You are a selfless woman that will do anything for anyone, which is a trait that comes with such honor.Lastly, thank you for showing me the true power of love. Your unconditional love taught me that love is the most powerful quality that humans can have. Thank you for treating me as Your Family. Nana we will always love you and we will never forget you. Thank you Nana for everything  you Do. Until we meet again our Guardian Angel. 🙏🙏🧓🏻😇❤️❤️❤️ we love you so much. 

My mother in law was my second mom.  She raised my children with my mom as a team.  Her grandchildren were her life.  I love her and she will be missed tremendously.  Thank you for being a part of our lives.  Your son Peter.  

Grandma Clara was so special to so many of her family members. I happen to be a friend of a family member, but she treated me just as family. Thank you to her for always asking about myself and my family and making me laugh whenever I came over to the Vitale’s and including me in her birthday celebrations. Myself and my family are sending our love and prayers to her family. Rest In Peace Clara you have so many people who love you.

Dear Irene, Francine, Jamie and Families.  Auntie Anne, Liz, Christine and our families send our deepest condolences on the loss of Aunt Clara.  We were so sorry to hear this sad news.  We send our love and prayers during this time.  We attached a photo you might remember...Much love, Auntie Anne, Christine and Bruce Mann, Liz and Ralph Sposito and families.....

OBITUARY

Clara Julia Cioffi

October 27, 1925 – July 21, 2019

Frederick Funeral Home

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