Yolanda Mary Elia, of Glen Mills, PA passed away peacefully on April 13, 2020 in the care of the compassionate and loving staff at Maris Grove & Willow Tree Hospice. Mary (nee Yolanda) was born in 1930, in Cosenza, Italy, the youngest of five sisters. She arrived at Ellis Island when she was just five years old to reunite with her father who had been working in the U.S. to save enough money for passage from Italy for his wife and daughters. Yolanda, who was known as “Mary” (her middle name) by her classmates and friends, quickly learned English and began helping at her father’s little grocery store in Lansing, Michigan. She enjoyed the company of a big, Italian family and made many friends. She especially enjoyed singing in Uncle Howdy’s Choir on the radio and recalled that experience as being one of the highlights in her memories.
Mary met her husband, Ray while he was completing his doctorate at Michigan State University. They were married and moved to Wilmington, Delaware when Ray accepted a job at E.I. duPont de Nemours & Co. and where they raised four children and lived for 30 years. This included a 3-year assignment to Geneva, Switzerland where they traveled extensively and made many lifelong friends.
In addition to raising four children, Mary was an accomplished seamstress, stayed very active socially and volunteered with the Ministry of Caring and other local charities. She was a very good cook and could be heard chopping up a chicken or making homemade soup in the wee hours of the morning while her children tried to sleep! She passed on many of her recipes to her family — the recipe for “Nana’s Meatballs” has been shared countless times! Before they retired, Mary and Ray opened two antique shops and later, a small restaurant. They were very hard-working, but still managed to enjoy entertaining and spending time with family and friends.
Mary looked younger than her years, always beautifully outfitted with perfectly coiffed hair. She was known to “speak her mind” and express her opinions, but remained loyal to her family and friends. She was so proud of her five grandchildren and the latest addition, a great-granddaughter. Her family was truly her greatest joy. Shopping at Costco might have been a close second. When she moved to the Personal Care Unit in Rose Court at Maris Grove, she was blessed with the compassionate and loving care of the staff who remained with her until her last days. Her family will be forever grateful for them along with the support of the staff from Willow Tree Hospice—you were truly our extended family!
Mary will always be remembered for her helpful reminders…”wear an undershirt”, “always bring tissues”, “always make your bed” and “don’t forget to eat”. They will remain like tape recordings in our heads and will always make us smile. We will miss you, but you will not be forgotten!
Mary was predeceased by her husband of 62 years, Ray, and is survived by their daughter, Cindy and her husband Greg Larson & their daughter, Maria and her husband, Jesse Cornacchione and their baby girl, Gia; their son, Randy Elia, his wife, Laura, and their children, Maya and Noah; their second daughter, Lori, and her husband, Don Tomovich, and their children, Jenna and Justin; and their youngest daughter, Lisa and her husband, Dean Erickson. She leaves behind friends and family members who are all part of the many memories and stories she shared and took with her. Mary had a strong faith and planned to reunite with her husband and dearly departed family in heaven. We hope to see her there one day!
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in her memory to the “Resident Care Fund”, 200 Maris Grove Way, Glen Mills, PA, 19342 or to “Willow Tree Hospice”, 616 Cypress St., Kennett Square, PA, 19348.
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