Concetta Caristi

Concetta Caristi, 99, passed peacefully from this life on March 23, 2018. She was born Concetta Arena on November 23, 1918, in Ganzirri, a village of Messina (Sicily), Italy. She married Santo Caristi on July 4, 1948. Since he planned for them to move to America, he told her their anniversary would always be a celebration. She moved to New York City in 1949 and set up house, not knowing a single word of English. In 1960 the family moved to Florida. Santo and Concetta bought the only house they ever owned, a modest 2-bedroom home in Hallandale. In 1963, Santo had a heart attack and they reversed roles: Santo left his job as a chef and became the house husband. Concetta went to work as a seamstress for various factories. She worked until she was 85 and was known by all as among the best at her job. She made clothes for her sons and grandchildren, and several people asked her to make special occasion dresses, including a couple of wedding gowns. Concetta was dedicated to family and church, and would spend many hours in prayer every day. She lived in Muncie 2010-12 and for the last eight months.

She is survived by one sister, Maria Arena of Bologna, Italy; one sister-in-law Linda Arena of Bologna, Italy; sons James (Martha) of Valparaiso, Indiana, Anthony of Lawrenceville, Georgia, and Dominic (Kimberly) of Muncie, Indiana; four grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation on Friday, May 11th from 6:00 ~ 8:00 P.M. at Fred Hunters Hollywood Memorial Home, 6301 Taft Street, Hollywood. Her funeral mass will be celebrated 1 p.m. on May 12 at Saint Matthew Church in Hallandale, where Concetta and Santo were parishioners since before the church was built. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend.

Burial will follow at Hollywood Memorial Gardens Cemetery.