Ida Annina (Fortino) Lio, 90, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Sunday, July 5, 2020.
Ida was born in 1930 in the town of Castiglione Cosentino, province of Cosenza, Calabria (Italy). Ida was the oldest of Fortuna Lio and Clemente Fortino’s nine children. As Nazis occupied her family’s farm in Southern Italy, Ida experienced many hardships and atrocities. She learned to overcome the hatred, pain and anger of World War II with optimism, warmth and love — the traits she would become most known for throughout her life.
In 1948, Ida married her sweetheart, Alberico Lio, also a native of Castiglione Cosentino. She and Alberico began their family in Southern Italy and continued to proudly display their Italian heritage after immigrating to the United States on June 14, 1972. Ida and Alberico settled their family in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where Ida worked as a seamstress for Zommit Cleaners. Ida was known for her ability to create something remarkable out of nothing. From stained shirts and outgrown pants, she fashioned washcloths, handkerchiefs and bread blankets. From flour, water and vegetables from the garden, she lovingly made fresh pastas, delicious sauces and hearty minestras to feed whoever appeared at her table.
Ida’s two passions in life were her faith and her family. As the eldest of nine children, Ida was a second mother to her younger siblings. In addition to her own children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Ida quickly adopted anyone she encountered with a loving kiss on the cheek or a heartfelt smile. Her maternal presence moved virtually everyone who knew her to affectionally call her “Mamma” or “Mamma Lio.” Ida was a remarkably devout Catholic. She had a strong devotion to the Blessed Mother and had numerous Rosaries strategically placed throughout the house. She was also a permanent fixture at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church and particularly enjoyed the Friday morning Children’s Mass.
Ida was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Alberico Lio and her two brothers, Aldo and Mario Fortino. She is survived by her three children: Rose (Tony) Lio, Romeo (Maria Luisa) Lio and Maria (Giovanni) DiSanto; her grandchildren: Armando (Jill) Lio, Alberico (Cinzia) Lio, Clorinda (Bryan) Leone-Hock, Antonella (William) Weaver, Alessandro (Samantha) DiSanto and Bianca DiSanto; her great-grandchildren: Isabella Leone, Luigi Leone, Marialuisa Lio, William Weaver, Luke Weaver, and Joseph Weaver; and her siblings: Michele (Amelia) Fortino, Lina (Francesco) Lio, Virginia Marsico, Guido (Michelina) Fortino, Eduardo (Franca) Fortino, and Francesca (Enzo) Valenza. Ida will be deeply missed by her many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends in the United States, Canada and Italy.
A viewing complying to local COVID guidelines will be held on Saturday, July 11th at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church from 10 to 11am. A Mass of Christian Burial will immediately follow at 11am, also at Holy Name of Jesus Church (6150 Allentown Boulevard, Harrisburg, PA 17112) with Reverend Edward J. Quinlan as celebrant and various priests of the Harrisburg Diocese as concelebrants. The family will proceed to a private burial service with no fellowship.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Holy Name of Jesus Church (6150 Allentown Boulevard, Harrisburg, PA 17112).
