Antonietta Cerilli DeSantis, 92, passed on August 17th, 2025, in their family home. She had many challenges in her life but handled them with perseverance and grace. She was an inspiration to many, and her helpful kindness never ceased.
She was born on March 17th, 1933, in Supino, in the Provence of Frosinone of the Lazio Region of Italy, a daughter of the late Casimiro and Filomena Pietrandrea Cerilli, and the late Artemesia Boni, her stepmother. Antonietta has estranged paternal siblings, Valentino Antonio (Alberta Zuccaro) Cerilli of Michigan and estranged Nalena Cerilli of Supino, Italy. Antonietta lost her mother, Filomena, at the age of two to a mosquito bite. She was raised by the nuns of Supino, her late loving paternal grandmother, Luisa Giuseppina Tomei Cerilli (Nonna Peppina), her late maternal grandparents Mamma Rosa Schietroma and Filippo (Nonno Peppo) Pietrandrea whom she adored with a heavy heart.
Antonietta, as a young child, worked tirelessly in her father’s butcher shop. She enjoyed, loved interacting with people of Supino. Her legacy she left behind in Supino is still today talked about. Antonietta was the beloved wife of 52 years to the late husband Rocco who had returned to Supino to marry Antonietta on December 5th, 1955. She immigrated June 1956. She is thankful to her now heavenly long-time life-line sisters Mary D’Ottavio and Dorothy Dalesio who had helped Antonietta receive her US citizenship and shared good and bad life experiences throughout their lifetime together. Antonietta was bonded for life with Mary and with Dorothy.
Antonietta returned to Supino for the first time in June of 1977 because her father was gravely ill. Upon her immediate return to Supino, she saved her father’s life with her husband blood bank membership. Many who knew Antonietta always praised her for working hard like no one else in Supino and many were also very excited to see her again. She sponsored so many in Confirmation. She had more Patena’s and Cumara’s in every corner of Supino.
Since 1956, every October she joined a pilgrimage group to Our Lady of Lourdes in Euclid, Ohio. In the mid 60’s, Antonietta became a pilgrimage leader and was entrusted with the Blessed Mother Mary banner. The pilgrimage group continued every year up to 2016. She made and had so many genuine friends she was proud of, so proud, “I have lots of good friends.” Antonietta was always known for leading religious Italian hymns.
Antonietta was devoted to her pilgrimage trips, the Madonna and San Cataldo since childhood. She was honored in 2011 as Daughter of Supino by the Supinesi San Cataldo. She dreamed of San Cataldo during trouble times, and he guided her with courage. Antonietta is and will always be known as “the only master” at baking ciambelli, nobody could ever bake them like her. She enjoyed planting an abundance of flowers around the family home. Her husband Rocco enjoyed the passerby’s compliments and took great pride in her gardening. Antonietta continued growing her husband’s vegetable garden every year and when she could not herself, her daughter continued the family tradition.
Antonietta was a devoted, loving wife to her husband and children, very dedicated, while still providing for their wellbeing and higher education. Her guidance, love and patience were a constant source of strength, unconditional, endless love, and support for her family. Antonietta anchored the family together and surpassed many years of illnesses and hardships.
Antonietta is preceded in death by her husband, Rocco DeSantis on August 4th, 2007, whom she shared 52 years of love in sickness and in health together forever. She is survived by her devoted daughter, Marian, her son, Joseph, her estranged daughter, Joann and her estranged son, Richard, her grandchildren Anthony, Danielle, and Julia, her special friend, Sheri McWilliams, RN, MSN. She is also survived by her special loving nieces: Guiseppina (Pina) Cerilli Spaziani in Supino, Elouise (Alice) Bernola Skelly and Lora Corsi Coco in Michigan, dearly loved Zia Maria Boni, Cugini Marisa Pagani, Luigi Boni and Papinella and Alberto Arduini in Toronto, Canada, Filomena Simoni in Windsor, Amedeo and Linda Tomei, Gino and Domenca Paossi, Paolo and Laura Paluzzi in Montreal, Canada, Melania Martini in Supino Italy, Rosina Pietrandrea Compton in Michigan, Jane Cerilli, Camille Cerilli Stevenson, Felix and Maria Magnotta, Carla Tucci-Lytle Cordova, Rose Ann Boni, Luisa DeSantis, Erminia DeSantis Palmieri, Luigi Pietrandrea, and Romano Rossi; along with exceptional, devoted friends who were loving, respectful, and supportive, Rita Ceccarelli, James DeSantis, Enrico and Denise D’Ottavio Francani and her Eucharistic Minister, Dave Knight and loving friend, Ethel “Squeaky” Babinec, who Antonietta would call “Bella” has been a wonderful, heartfelt companion.
Antonietta was separated from her loyal forever childhood friend, Layah, to Argentina.
A Heartfelt thanks goes out to St. Titus Ministry of Caring and the elementary catholic school children for their beautiful handmade cards for the past years. Most importantly, thank you Dr. Michael Oliver and Racey B Keister, RN, for all your attention and exceptional care provided.
Antonietta requests love, respect, and embrace the saints who bless us with miracles every day and the children who have lost their mother in early childhood. Honor your mother and father. Her motto for a long marriage, she would always say, “Put up and shut up” and “it’s only one argument.”
Ti amo sempre mia mamma, bella sempre, sarai per sempre la tua macchia nei nostril cuori.
A million times I will miss you ~ A million times I will cry
If love alone could have saved you
You would have never died.
In life I loved you dearly, in death I love you still.
In my heart you hold a place ~ No other one can fill
The Golden gates stood open, God saw you needed rest.
He gently took you to a life ~ Of peace and happiness eternally.
A Visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 19th from 3-7 p.m. at the ANTHONY MASTROFRANCESCO FUNERAL HOME INC., 2026 McMinn Street, Aliquippa, who was in charge of her arrangements, and where departing prayers will take place on Wednesday, August 20th at 9:30 a.m. to 9:45 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. at St. Titus Roman Catholic Church, 952 Franklin Avenue, Aliquippa. A service will also be held for Antonietta at Mt. Olivet Cemtery, 2186 Broadhead Road, Aliquippa on Wednesday, August 20th from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
