Isabel C. Pesci

After a few short illnesses, Isabel Pesci decided it was time to join her loved ones in Heaven. On the thirtieth of January at 4:30 am Isabel breathed her last breath. This is not a time for sorrow, Isabel lived a long, wonderful life and was a very resilient, courageous, and loved woman.

Born Isabel Kotarski in Hudson, Massachusetts on the thirteenth of May 1922. Isabel graduated through her 12 grades of school in Hudson, Mass. Following graduation from High School Isabel worked in a sewing factory prior to WWII. While going to the movie theatre with a friend she met her first husband Alfred Lalli. After a short courtship Alfred (Freddie), a medic, enlisted in WWII. During his first furlough, Freddie and Isabel were married in St. Michael’s church in Hudson, Massachusetts. After a short honeymoon Freddie had to return to the war. During the ‘Battle of the Bulge’, Freddie was wounded, became a POW in a German camp, and passed away from his wounds. During the war, Isabel made knife scabbards for the war effort. Toward the end of WWII Isabel also volunteered as a ‘candy striper’ at Framingham hospital in Framingham, Massachusetts. Isabel made many friends while volunteering. One of those friends introduced Isabel to Alphonse Pesci, Isabel’s second husband.

Alphonse Pesci was an injured 82nd Airborne paratrooper recuperating in Framingham hospital. Isabel and Alphonse were married New Year’s Day of 1947 at St. Michael’s church in Hudson, Massachusetts. Isabel moved to Staten Island, NY where the Pesci family lived. Isabel and Alphonse bought their first home at 12 Morningstar Rd and raised their first 3 daughters for a few years before moving to 4 Arlene Street. Their second home at 4 Arlene Street in Graniteville, Staten Island is where all 5 daughters were raised and where Isabel would reside for most of her life. Isabel and Alphonse were married until Alphonse passed away in 1985 due to melanoma cancer. Isabel was surrounded by their 5 daughters, Elizabeth (Bette), Jacqueline, Beverly, Jeanellen, and Vickie Renee, for support. In May of 2003, Isabel bravely supported her daughter Jacqueline Venturini during her death from Multiple Myeloma.

In 2012, at age 90 Isabel moved to Lancaster, Pennsylvania to live near the youngest daughter, Vickie Renee Pesci-Hall. Isabel moved into Homestead Village, a retirement life plan community. Isabel had her own independent living apartment, made many friends, and had the largest and loudest dining table (known as ‘the ladies of table 14’) in the restaurant of Homestead Village. Isabel played UNO, several card games, BINGO (she was delighted to get sugar free candy each time she won), Wii bowling, worked on jigsaw puzzles, and daily walks.

She loved singing along with concerts and playing the tambourine.

Isabel took several trips with her family from 2012 to 2018, including but not limited to: Walt Disney World, Busch Gardens, and Universal Studios in Fla; Massachusetts and New Hampshire; St. Louis, Missouri; Ohio; Springfield, Illinois. She loved the rides at Walt Disney World and the River Cruise down the Mississippi River.

Isabel was in and out of Lancaster General Hospital a few times since Halloween of 2023 with short illnesses, until the time of her death. Isabel was surrounded by her family as she passed away peacefully of pneumonia at Lancaster General Hospital.

Isabel is survived by 4 of her 5 daughters and 3 sons-in-law: Elizabeth (Bette) and husband Thomas Busteed, Beverly Toth and husband Joseph, Jeanellen Pesci Wichelman, Vickie Renee Pesci-Hall and husband John Hall, VMD.

Isabel is also survived by 7 grandchildren/1 step-granddaughter: Christen Busteed (wife Margaret), Scott Busteed (wife Melissa), Gary Busteed, Christina Spirito (husband Michael), Michelle Cordero (husband Richie), Monica Dudeck, Alan Wichelman, step granddaughter Alyssa Lowson (husband Jonathan).

Isabel is also survived by 13 great grandchildren/1 step great granddaughter: Logan Busteed, Ashley Busteed, Amber Busteed, Zachary Busteed, Nicole Seidita (husband Anthony), Amelea Spirito, Nina Spirito, Milayna Spirito, Gianna Cordero, Victoria Cordero (husband Josh Turcios), Joseph Cordero, Justin Cordero, Cameron Wichelman, and step great granddaughter Raven Lowson.

Isabel is survived by 5 great great grandchildren as well: Briella Seidita, Olivia Seidita, Isabel Cordero, Alayah Turcios, and Roman Turcios.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Isabel's memory may be made to Wounded Warrior Veteran Support, https://wwfs.org/; Pet Pantry of Lancaster County, https://petpantrylc.org/; and Best Friends; https://bestfriends.org/.