Elsie M. (Macali) Arduini

A lifelong Little Falls resident, Mrs. Elsie M. (Macali) Arduini, 96, went home to be with the Lord peacefully on Saturday evening, December 9, 2023 at Valley Health Services, Herkimer.  At the time of her passing, she was surrounded with the love and support of her entire family.

She was born Oct. 24, 1927 in Little Falls, daughter of the John B. and Sophia Macali and educated in Little Falls schools, graduating in 1945.  Elsie attended business school in Syracuse.  She was last employed as a secretary with the Little Falls School District Superintendent, retiring in 1986 and at one time worked at Hansens in Little Falls.  She also taught night school courses at Little Falls High School for shorthand and transcription.  Her marriage to Ezio Arduini took place on May 9, 1955.  Ezio preceded her in death.

Elsie was active in the community and belonged to many organizations including the Holy Family Parish Rosarians, she was a past board member with the Little Falls WCA and a member of the Little Falls Hospital Guild.  She also had memberships with other local organizations. Elsie held her Catholic faith close to her heart and was a faithful member of Holy Family Parish Catholic Church.

Elsie was a kind and gentle soul, strong, and always selfless. She was an outstanding mother and shared many beautiful Italian traditions with her children and grandchildren, leaving them with several fond memories. She enjoyed connecting with new acquaintances and old friends, she always listened patiently, and took pleasure in offering her personal stories and experiences. She possessed a loving heart above all else.  Elsie was was an amazing, strong, yet gentle woman. She was always at her best when she was in the company of family. She believed that loving her children was the greatest experience, a sentiment that only deepened with the birth of her grandchildren, they love their grandmother.

She was preceded in death by her siblings, Ida Riccardo and husband Jim and Lucy Ronco and husband Paul. Survivors include her beloved family; her children, Joanne Pohleven and husband Mark, Richard Arduini and Laura Palmer and Gina Torres and husband Trinidad all of Little Falls; cherished grandchildren  Stephanie Busch and husband Cooper, Christopher Florian and wife Jill, Jason Pohleven and Nikki Buell, Jaime Pohleven and Elizabeth Fredrick, Jessica Congdon, Jeremy Pohleven and wife Dana, Justin Pohleven and wife Kaitlyn, Laura Eysaman, Tara Arduini, Rachel Arduini; her adored great grandchildren, Donovan Busch, Jordan Busch, Joey Macri, Jordanna Pohleven, Cameron Pohleven, Jaiden Congdon, Isabella Congdon, Charlotte Pohleven, William Pohleven, Raeghen Corbin, Zoey Raymonda, Tyler Pohleven, Brandon Pohleven, cherished great great grandchild, Wrenleigh Pohleven; her cousins, Jeannie Macri and husband John of Herkimer, and Mary Kingsly and husband John of Kansas; many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will take place at the Little Falls owned Mohawk Valley Funerals and Cremations, 7507 State Route 5, between Little Falls and St. Johnsville, 315-508-5131 on Sunday, December 17, 2023 from 2-4 pm.  Her funeral will commence at 10:15 am on Monday, Dec. 18th from the chapel of MVFC where a transfer prayer will take place followed by her Mass of Christian Burial that will begin at 11 am  from Holy Family Parish, corner of E. Main and John Sts., Little Falls assisted by the Resurrection Committee.  Procession will follow to St. Mary's Cemetery, town of Herkimer where Elsie will be laid to rest.  Elsie was surrounded and truly cared for by the wonderful nurses and staff of Valley Health Services, Herkimer. They couldn't have done more for her wellbeing; this gave Elsie and her family so much comfort and blessings.