Carmela M. Escoe (née De Grazia), 93, passed away surrounded by her children on December 31st, 2025, in Beaver. She was born in Pittsburgh, a daughter of the late Maria and James De Grazia. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, James Escoe, her brothers, Frank and Jim De Grazia; and her best friend and twin sister, Rosalie Gyurina. She is survived by her children: Valerie (Stanley) Namola, Carla Escoe, Jim (Gigi) Escoe and Lisa (Mark) Winter. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Chelsea (Eric) Matsko; Jordan Namola; Brianna (Tyler) Strotman; Maria Escoe; and Rowan Winter; as well as her great-grandchildren: Knox, Nash, Palmer, Emery, and Oliver; along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Carmela was a devout Roman Catholic and died well-fortified in the sacraments. Widowed at a young age, she met life with remarkable resilience, a positive attitude, grace, and love. She built a warm and welcoming home and became the matriarch of a strong and deeply loving family. There was nothing more important to her than being surrounded by her family.
People loved her, and she made and nurtured friends of all ages. She frequently adopted her children’s friends as her own, whether having coffee at Starbucks or lunch at Mario’s. She enjoyed gatherings and was a great conversationalist.
She was known for her delicious food, including an epic pork sauce, meatballs, and homemade pasta, and for her even more famous baked goods like Christmas cookies, Easter bread, pies, and Texas sheet cake. It was always a delight to be at her table and, if you were lucky, to come away with her recipe or a tip.
Carmela was an avid player of bridge, games, and puzzles. Having been raised on Nancy Drew, she was an avid reader of mystery novels and a fan of Murder, She Wrote. She loved a good whodunit! She was a truth-teller with a dry, sharp wit that would leave you laughing over her comments for years.
Her family is deeply grateful for the friendship, love, care, and kindness shown to her over the years, and especially by the staff at Villa Saint Joseph, where she resided later in life, and they will forever cherish the example she set through her strength, generosity, and unwavering love.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted on Monday, January 5th, at 10 a.m. at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 200 Third Street, Beaver. Private Entombment will take place at Beaver Cemetery Mausoleum, Buffalo Street, Beaver.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Our Lady of the Valley Parish, Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 200 Third Street, Beaver, PA 15009 or Concordia Villa Saint Joseph, 1030 W State Street, Baden, PA 15005.