Obituary of Corrine A. Pileggi

Corrine A. Vinci Pileggi, 94, passed away peacefully on June 22, 2014. She was born on January 19, 1920 to Sisto Lawrence and Maria Carmela Fondacaro Vinci on Pratt Street in the Village of Haverstraw. Corrine was a lifetime resident of North Rockland, and also lifetime member of St. Peter's Church in Haverstraw, where she married Frank J. Pileggi Sr. on March 5, 1939. They were married for 65 years before he predeceased her on Feb 15, 2004. Corrine was a graduate of St. Peter's School, and attended Haverstraw High School, but had to leave due to becoming hearing-impaired due to a childhood accident. However, she was still able to lead a productive life, becoming a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother. Before marring, she worked for Barrie Sportswear in Garnerville. Well known for her famous Christmas displays which filled her home, it was a tradition that after Thanksgiving dinner she would bring the many boxes down so she could start putting up this huge display. She would open her home to anyone who would like to see it. This all started with 12 cardboard houses from the five and ten store, and grew to over 1,000 pieces. She continued this tradition until age 70. Corrine also loved to cook and clean, which is how she got her nickname: Katie Clean. A member for many years of St. Peter's Rosary Society, Columbianettes Counsel #581, Leo Ladders Ladies Aux., Catholic Daughters, Italian-American Club, and the Marian Shrine Cooperators. She and her husband spent many weekends working at the Shrine's many events, and for many years she sold mass cards from her home. When she watched her first set of grandchildren (Carol, Lynne, Terri Maria, Catherine and Dominick) during the summer, the way it worked was: Lunch, Mass Card assembly, Days of Our Lives and As The World Turns, then to the pool. Corrine is survived by her loving children: Sisto, Frank (Eileen) William (Maria) and Jerry, whom she lived with and was her caretaker, by her daughter-in-law Maryann, 11 Grandchildren, 22 Great grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandson, her sister-in-law Ruth Vinci, and many nieces & nephews. Besides her husband, she is predeceased by her son Dominic and daughter-in-law Carol Ann, her sisters: Anna, Mary, Molly, Helen, Ida Clara, and by her brothers Dominick and Anthony. She was the last of eight siblings. Many thanks from the family go out to Rev. Thomas Madden for his pastoral care, and to the many doctors and medical staff that cared for her. She was tough to the end, and did it Her way. The family will receive friends and relatives at T.J. McGOWAN SONS FUNERAL HOME, GARNERVILLE, on Tuesday, June 24, 2014 from 6 - 9 PM, and on Wednesday, June 25 from 4 - 8 PM with a Mass of Christian burial to be celebrated for Corrine on Thursday June 26th at 10 AM at St. Peters Church, Haverstraw. Interment to follow at St Peter's Cemetery. In Lieu of flowers donations can be made in Corrine's name to St. Peter's Church or to the Marian Shrine.