Eleanora Mary DeVito died in her home at age 96 on February 4th, 2024. She is predeceased by her husband, Frank DeVito and her beloved daughter, Shirley Trapani. Eleanora is survived by her loving family: son-in-law Paul Trapani, grandson Seth (Kate) Trapani, granddaughters Kasi Trapani and Sadie (Stephen) Hendrickson, four great-grandchildren Raylan Trapani, Hazel, Meta, and Desmond Hendrickson, brother Ray (Molly) Tortorice, niece Gina (Sean) Fustino, nephew Ray (Julie) Tortorice, and grand-nephews Enzo and Domenico.
Eleanora “Nora” Devito was born in 1927 to parents Anthony & Eleanora Tortorice in Perry, NY and was one of seven siblings. Eleanora attended school in Perry until the age of sixteen when she began work at The Perry Knitting Mill making outfits for babies with her sister, Mary.
Shortly after, at the age of seventeen, Eleanora met and married Frank DeVito and they stayed married for 65 years until Frank’s passing in January of 2000. Eleanora and Frank moved to East Rochester in 1950. During that time, Nora worked at Fashion Park Clothing sewing button holes.
In 1958, Nora and Frank purchased an old farm house on Whitney Road in Fairport (at the time it was a dirt road with only three other houses) where she lived until her death. That same year, she started working at Home Federal Bank. She rose in the ranks there due to her mathematical and methodical mind and loved telling her family stories of her time there.
Eleanora was an independent, welcoming, and generous person. She took pride in her home and her long lasting friendships. In the tradition of her Italian roots, Eleanora loved to feed her family and she baked delicious pies and cookies.
Eleanora will be remembered for being a sewing genius. For her family, she made quilts, prom dresses, Halloween costumes, a wedding veil, and even some bell bottoms. She could always be counted on to repair any piece of clothing to perfection. Eleanora will also be remembered for her resourcefulness, her love of the color purple, and her independent spirit.
A wife, a friend, a mother, a grandma, and a great- grandma – Eleanora’s legacy is her loving family. Services for Eleanora will be held on Friday, February 16, @ 11am at White Haven Memorial Park Creations Chapel in Pittsford, NY. A lunch gathering will take place immediately afterwards at Eleanora’s home.
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5 responses to “DeVito, Eleanora Mary”
Eleanora will be greatly missed. She was not only my friend but like a grandmother to me. Words cant express how much I loved her.
Our condolences to Mrs. DeVito’s family and friends. When we met recently, it was clear that she was a very special woman. I enjoyed hearing her stories about her family, the farm, and working at the bank. We’re very sorry for your loss.
I enjoyed visiting with Nora so much. We would have great long talks sharing our histories and views of the world. I’m sorry I couldn’t be there to celebrate her life and will keep her family and good memories in my thoughts and prayers.
What a wonderful woman Nora was ! I wasn’t aware that something had happened till I was pulling out of the neighborhood and saw all the cars lined up in front of her home today. Once a month I would call Nora and we would catch each other up on our goings on. She was an amazing woman, sharp as a tack, a wonderful storyteller, a thoughtful listener, kindness effused her. This past fall I had brought a lawn chair up to her front porch and we talked about her grandson and his son who made the best Italian cookies that contained no salt, we talked about the pride she took in her home, she talked about her granddaughters and the strong women they had become, the loss of Frank and Shirley and recently… her illness. I am so glad she is with Frank and her beloved Shirley again. Bless her soul, I will never forget her and will forever miss her.
Thank you, Mary. What a wonderful tribute to Grams! She cherished calls with her friends and talked often of how much her friendships meant to her.
I am so sorry you missed Nora’s service.