Obituaries

Antoinette “Toni” D’Isabella

July 01, 2013

Antoinette “Toni” D’Isabella passed away at home on Monday, July 1, 2013. She was born in Maltignano, Italy on October 18, 1934. She immigrated to the US in 1947 traveling by ship with her sister, Linda, and her mother, Maria Odorisi. There they joined her father, Ruggero, who had already settled in Camden, NJ.

She attended Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School and graduated from business school there. She was a typist for Hartford Steam Boiler in Philadelphia. Eventually her family moved to Lancaster.

On a vacation to Italy to visit her sister, Adelia, she reconnected with Giuseppe “Joe” D’Isabella whom she knew growing up. Joe and Toni had a short engagement and were married on September 14, 1959. They were happily married for 53 years and had 3 children.

Toni lived her life fully. Faith, family, and food were three major components of her life. She was a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church. She was very devout with her litany of prayers. She loved cooking and sharing food with her family and friends. Her favorites included cannoli, homemade pasta, and rum cake.

She is survived by her husband, Joe D’Isabella and her children, Theresa Paula Paine, married to Michael of Lancaster; Joseph Camillo D’Isabella married to Linda of Oxford; and Maria Pierina D’Isabella of Lancaster. Toni cherished her grandchildren: Julian and Nathan Paine and Sophia and Joey D’Isabella. She is also survived by her sister, Linda DeLeo, married to Alfred of Lancaster and her sister, Adelia D’Isabella of Maltignano, Italy. She loved her many nieces, nephews, and her extended family. She also considered her co-workers at Rohrer’s Hardware, her teammates from her bocce team, the Bocce Babes, and members of the Lancaster Italian Cultural Society as part of her family.

Her family wishes to thank all who supported her on her final journey. Special thanks to Dr. Conter, Stacy Wenzel, Dr. Kane, doctors, nurses and staff at Lancaster Regional Medical Center, Lancaster Cancer Center, and Hospice and Community Care.

A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating her life will be at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, 558 W. Walnut St, Lancaster, PA on Saturday, July 6, 2013 at 10:30AM with Rev. Michael J. Culkin as Celebrant. The family will receive guests from 9-10:30AM at the church on Saturday. Interment in St. Joseph’s New Catholic Cemetery in Bausman, PA. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Toni’s memory may be made to Sacred Heart of Jesus School, 235 Nevin St, Lancaster, PA 17603 or to Lancaster Cleft Palate, 223 N. Lime St, Lancaster, PA 17602.

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Condolences to the Family

July 29, 2013

Dear Theresa , Roseanne and Family
Although it has been many years since our days at Sacred Heart and LCHS I remember your mother/aunt fondly. She may have been a small, quiet, woman, but the love for she had for her family and faith in The Church was obvious to anyone who met her.  I will keep you all in my prayers.   Theresa, I would very much like to send you a Mass card, however I do not have an address for you.  
 
Fondly,
Jane Pugliese-Murphy
 
 

July 18, 2013

Although I only was able to know this wonderful woman for a short time, I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to know her. She will be greatly missed and I’m sure thought of for many years to come, prayers and blessings going out to all the family and relatives of this kind & special woman.
 
Sincerely Thomas Strickler

July 12, 2013

Miss Maria D’Isabella,Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this most difficult time.  Sincerely,Pam, Peter, Amy, Patrick, Melissa, and Michael RittSt. Anne School many years ago.

Joe,Theresa,Joseph & Maria,

I was saddened to hear of the death of my friend and former co-worker, Toni.

I knew she was sick because I saw Theresa at Park City a few months ago, and I always asked her and Maria how their mom was doing. I was praying that she would be healed. I supppose God was ready to call her home. She was always very nice to me and everyone at Maxwell’s Dept Store where we worked together a long time ago. She and Joe would give me a ride home sometimes because I did not have a car. I will miss her very much. God’s Peace be with you at this difficult time.

With Sympathy,
Alicia Schmude

I remember the day I interviewed Toni for the receiving job at Rohrer’s. I told her I liked her, but that I wasn’t sure she could do the job because she was so small and receiving can be physically demanding. She looked at me earnestly and pleaded, "Give me a try for one week. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll leave." I hired her that day, and I never regretted it for a minute! She was hard-working, accurate, and conscientious.

In addition, Toni was the most genuinely nice person I have ever met. I don’t remember hearing her say a bad word about anybody. One time I was frustrated with something that was going on and griped to her about it. She didn’t climb on the negative bandwagon. She just listened and said, "Yeah, Carole. That’s the way it is sometimes. Whaddaya gonna do." It was very calming response at the time, and I still feel a sense of peace just thinking about her.

It was obvious that she loved her family very much, and she treated everyone like family. Many times Toni brought in cannoli for the whole staff, and if it was your birthday you might get some of her homemade pasta and sauce.

Toni had become an American citizen long before I met her. One day she told me her husband Joe had never taken the test because he was afraid his English wasn’t good enough, but that he was finally going to do it. The day after the test, I went into receiving and she ran over excitedly and said, "Carole! Joe got NEUTRALIZED!" I said, "Wow. That sounds painful." She stammered, ‘I mean NATURALIZED!" I thought that was so funny because her English grammar, spelling, and vocabulary were better than most native-born Americans I know.

What an absolutely stellar human being. She will be greatly missed. I’m glad her spirit still lives on in the three wonderful children she and Joe created together!

Carole Mathieu

Dear Maria,

How often I have thought of you and your generous smile. Now I know the origin of your kindness and gentle manner.

My prayers are with you and your family.

Karen Labiak

The thoughts and prayers of our family are extended to your family at this time of grief with the loss of your wife and mother.  May God comfort you and fill you with his love and peace through the knowledge of her passage into her new life of paradise. 
With love and continued prayers,
The Lobeck Family

Dear Joe and Family,
     Mary Ann and I want to offer you our deepest thoughts and prayers at this time.  I always enjoyed the times I shared with Toni at Rohrer’s.  She was a wonderful person and always willing to help.  Her loss will be felt by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing her.
      God Bless,   Jim & Mary Ann Mahler

MARIA,

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT JESUS IS WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AT THIS DIFFICULT TIME.GEORGE GARBRICK

I am so very sorry for your loss. Toni was a kind and caring person who will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this sad time.

Sheree Rael

Maria and family, my thoughts and prayers are with you.  I had my knee replacement and am homebound so I cannot be with you at your Mother’s funeral, but will be praying for her at that time.  Take care all of you. Love, Donna K.

D’Isabella family.  My thoughts and prayers are with you.  Meeting Toni, working with her, playing bocce with her, sharing meals and cooking tips with her are still some of the high lights of my life.  She was a wonderful person with a beautiful soul and will be greatly missed.  She was the kindest and best person I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.   Love to everyone.  Clare and the Bensons.

Dear Theresa, Mike, Julian, Nathan and family:

Our thoughts and prayers are with you.  May you find comfort in the love of your family and friends and the wonderful memories of your mother.

Love,
Jim, Sue, Lauren, Rachel, Sarah and Catie Engleman

Dear Joe and Maria and Family,

Claudia and I send our deepest condolences on the passing of Toni as we have had the privilege of knowing her through Bocce. She was always very kind and loving to both of us when we would see her not only thru Bocce but also thru the Lancaster Italian cultural Society and the one trip that we were on to the Villa Roma Resort a few years back. I cannot imagine the hurt that you are feeling loosing a wonderful Wife and Mother and the hurt that you endured during her sickness and I know that Heaven just became an even greater place to be now that Toni has arrived there. Our prayers will always be with her and Joe and Maria and the rest of her wonderful family and may God Bless all of you and remove your enduring pain that all of you are going through.

God Bless,
Claudia and Bob Barbush

We are so sorry to hear about your mom.  She was such a sweet lady who definitely cared very much for her family as well as everyone around her.  You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Love,
Dennis, Anne, Patrick and Meghan Quinn

Maria, we are very saddened to hear about the loss of your mother. Our prayers for peace for you and your family are with you now and in the coming days.
Blessings, Mark and Pam Heller

Theresa, Mike, Nathan, Julian and your whole family; may you find strength and healing in our Lord and Saviour. Toni was an amazing woman and meant so much to all who met her. She will be missed but her memory will always live on. Treasure the time you had with her and know she is healthy and well living her eternal life. Many Blessings,
Patt, Brooke and Maxwell

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