Stella C. (Franchi) Gamberdella

It is with deep sorrow that we mourn the passing of Stella Cecilia (Franchi) Gamberdella, of 44 Hancock Street in Little Falls, NY, who passed from this life on Saturday, February 19, 2022, at the age of 101.

Stella was born on May 20, 1920 in Vagli Sopra, Italy and immigrated to the United States on a month long boat ride with her parents as an infant. She was one of twelve siblings and lost nine of them during the worldwide influenza pandemic one hundred years ago.

A lifelong resident of Little Falls, Stella was well known and well-loved within the community. She received her education through the Little Falls City School District and was united in marriage with Louis Gamberdella on July 6, 1940. The couple enjoyed a blessed union of 57 years until Louie’s passing in 1997.

Stella was employed as a local factory worker at the Allegro Shoe Company until retiring to stay at home and raise her children. She spent countless hours working with her husband as a member of the local youth baseball programs and was a fixture at the baseball fields and in the church. She served as a Eucharistic Minister at St. Joseph’s Church and later Holy Family Parish, and was a member and officer of the Rosary Societies there. She was a faith-filled and lifelong communicant of St. Mary's Church, now Holy Family Parish and one of the church's longest living members. Many happy memories were created with her active involvement at St. Mary's Academy, in her earlier years. Stella was also very active in the DeCarlo-Staffo Post Ladies Auxiliary where she baked and sold concessions every week at their bingo nights. She volunteered her time as a class mother, a Sunday school teacher, and an aide in the pre-k and kindergarten classrooms of Benton Hall Academy and had an unconditional love for all children.

Widely known for her cooking, Stella was happiest with her family and friends sitting around her kitchen table eating and drinking. From weekly spaghetti Sundays to making homemade pizzas as daily lunches for her children, grandchildren, and all of their friends, Stella’s house always smelled delicious and felt like home. Stella was a strong loving woman and had a smile that came from her heart. She was a great listener and was careful with her words before she spoke, as she guided her loved ones like only a mother and grandmother could. Stella had a great sense of humor and loved everybody equally and completely. To know Stella was to love her and we will all miss her loving presence so very much. She was a loving mother who was unconditionally there for her family; they always knew how much they were loved and cared for.

Stella will be lovingly remembered by her son, Robert "Bert" Gamberdella of Pittsfield, Mass; her daughter-in-law, Dorinda Gamberdella, also of Pittsfield; her grandchildren, Amanda Jaquay and husband Scott of Dolgeville; Lucas Gamberdella of Little Falls; Jesse LaPlante and husband Andrew of Pittsfield, Mass; Joseph Gamberdella of Leominster, Mass.; her beloved and cherished great-grandchildren Tanner and Ava Jaquay of Dolgeville, Haley Gamberdella of Pickford, Michigan, Anthony Gamberdella, Brodie LaPlante and Zoey LaPlante of Pittsfield, Mass; her nieces Linda Salarpi and Marianne Graziadei of Little Falls; and her nephew David Liscio and wife Christine of Nahant, Mass. Stella was predeceased by her parents, Dominick and Rosa Franchi; her husband Louis Gamberdella; her son Richard Gamberdella and his wife Lisa; her sisters Cecilia Franchi, Agnes Liscio, and Caroline Salarpi and brothers-in-law Patsy Liscio and Lido Salarpi.

The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to Stella’s dearest friend, Mrs. Nancy DeLuca, for the care, companionship, and decades of love shown to her. Additionally, a special thank you is extended to Dr. Amy Grace, Mrs. Renee Willams, and to the staff of Hospice Care, as well.

The Gamberdella family will receive relatives and friends at Mohawk Valley Funerals and Cremations, located at 7507 State Route 5 (on the corner of Bidleman and Route 5), Little Falls, 315-508-5131 on Tuesday, February 22, 2022 from 4-7 pm. You are welcome to wear a mask. Members of the DeCarlo Staffo Post 3 will pay their respects at the funeral home on Tuesday evening at 6:!5 pm. Stella's funeral will commence at 10:15 am on Wednesday, February 23rd from the chapel of MVFC where prayer will be offered and at 11 am from Holy Family Parish, corner of E. Main and John Sts., Little Falls with the Rev. Brian Slezak, pastor, officiating Stella's Mass of Christian Burial with assistance from the HFP Resurrection Committee. The Rosary Society will present an honor guard at the service. A burial service will take place in the spring of 2022 in St. Mary's Cemetery, town of Herkimer. Kindly consider honoring Stella's memory with a donation to Holy Family Parish, Little Falls or Hospice and Palliative Care, New Hartford.