Esther Mancini, 95, entered into eternal rest on Nov. 1, 2022, on All Saints Day.
Born Sept. 22, 1927, in Aiello Calabria, Italy, Esther (known to most as Nana), passed peacefully in her home surrounded by her loving family.
She is survived by her children, Cesidio (Jess) Mancini and Maria Mancini, both of Morgantown; and her granddaughter, Alex Yester Leverentz and spouse David Leverentz, of Chicago. She is also survived by her brother, Frank T. Bossio and spouse Jeanne Ireland; as well as multiple nieces, nephews and cousins.
Esther was preceded in death by her husband Antonio Mancini; her parents, Geniale and Antonia Bossio; and a sibling, Francesco, who died at birth.
Esther was Roman Catholic and a member of St. Mary Catholic Church and attended service regularly until her health began to decline.
When Esther was one month old, her father left for America in search of a better life for his family. Like others from Calabria, he immigrated to Morgantown and left his family behind until he could afford for them to join him.
Unfortunately, the Great Depression and World War II created a delay. About 20 years after her father left Italy, Esther wrote him and they jointly arranged for she and her mom to join him in the United States in 1947. They arrived in New York after a 30-day boat trip. With little command of the language and no formal education, her first goal was to get a driver’s license so she could drive to and from work to help support her family. Two weeks after arriving in Morgantown and being reunited with her father, Esther began what would be an almost 50-year career with the Morgan Shirt Factory.
In 1950, she met and married Antonio Mancini and had two children, Cesidio (Jess) Gene and Maria Mancini. In 1992, Esther received the greatest gift any Italian mother could receive; she became a “nana.” Her granddaughter, Alex Yester, was the greatest joy of her life. In 1999, Ester retired to spend more time with Alex and pass along the essentials of living out our Italian culture.
Esther was a master seamstress, an extraordinary cook, a loving wife and mother and an amazing gardener. Most meals were harvested from her garden or made in her kitchen from scratch. She shared her talents and bounty with anyone who crossed her path. She lived her life simply and judged success by how many people sat at her table.
Her family would like to recognize those who contributed to her joy, care and wellbeing, including Gary Yester, son-in-law, and the Bossio and Summers families who have never wavered in their love and support.
We appreciate the Biundo family with special recognition of Dr. Russell Biundo for his medical care for over 30 years and his endearing love of Esther. The Mancinelli family, including goddaughters Dr. Corrie Mancinelli Forester and Beth Mancinelli Wyant, were her “daughters.”
Thank you to Rick and Janice Porto and Ralph and Ruby Shrout, who became members of our family, and thanks to Rachel Heckler for her special care. Most appreciative thanks to Maxine Whyte for her compassionate care of our mother and to the members of WVU Medicine Hospice who supported her through her last transition in this life.
Friends may join the family to honor Nana’s life and legacy at St. Mary Roman Catholic Church, 3346 University Ave., Star City, from 3-7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 7 and again in the church from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m., when the Mass of Christian Burial will be said, on Tuesday, Nov. 8 with the Rev. Father John P. McDonough as celebrant. Entombment will follow in St. Mary’s Peace Garden Mausoleum.
A scriptural wake service will be held in the church at 6:30 p.m. on Monday to conclude the evening visitation.
While flowers are welcome, contributions in Nana’s memory can be made to either WVU Medicine Hospice, 12 Roush Drive, Westover, WV 26501 or St. Ursula’s Food Pantry, P.O. Box 18, Pursglove, WV 26504.
Smith Funeral & Cremation Care of Westover/Morgantown is providing guidance to the family.
Condolences:
www.smithfcc.com
