Lillian Giarratano DiLeo

age of 98.

Daughter of Italian Immigrants, Salvatore (Sam) and Josephine Geonetta Giarratano. She was born April 17, 1923 in Pueblo, Colorado, raised in Alhambra, California. She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Cecil and Sam (Sammy) Jr.

Lillian was also preceded in death by her husband of fifty-four years, Lt. Colonel Carlo J. DiLeo,

U.S. Army Retired, born in Lucca Sicula, Sicily, Italy, raised in New Orleans. Lillian and Carlo were married in 1946 in Alhambra, California and moved to New Orleans in 1953. They owned DiLeo’s Food Store on the corner of St. Anthony and Marais Streets in the 7th Ward of New Orleans until 1974.

Pre-Hurricane Katrina, Lillian was a parishioner of Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church in

New Orleans, Louisiana. In January 2013 Lillian moved to Little Rock, AR.

Lillian was a very loving and generous person who cherished her family and friends.

She is survived by her daughters: Carol Lee Bandera, Janet Gussman, Lucia Minvielle, Sylvia Delsa and Mary Elizabeth Panepinto; her seven grandchildren, Jeanne Delsa DeHart, Edward Gussman, III, William Delsa, Jr., Andrew Bandera, Michael Minvielle, Steven Panepinto, and Catherine Panepinto; and her seven great-grandchildren, Alexander DeHart, Delsa Marie DeHart, Lillian Gussman, Edward Gussman, IV, Maria Gussman, Gloria Madere Delsa, and Carlo Martin Delsa.

Thank you to all staff members at Colonel Glenn Health and Rehab in Little Rock, AR,

UAMS Housecalls Geriatrics Program, Arkansas Hospice Greater Little Rock, Dr. Benny Green and his staff, Drs. Arnold Lupin and Jessie Pencio, staff at Lambeth House and Poydras Home and Reverend Aby Abraham, IMS, Cathedral of St. Andrew, Little Rock, AR.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Visitation and Funeral Mass. Visitation will be at LAKE LAWN METAIRIE FUNERAL HOME, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans, LA on Saturday, October 2, 2021, between 10:00 A.M. and 11:30 A.M., Words of Remembrance at 11:30 A.M., followed by a Catholic Funeral Mass, which will be celebrated by the Reverend David Ducote in the Chapel of Lake Lawn Metairie at 12:00 Noon. Interment will follow in METAIRIE CEMETERY. A reception will follow the interment in the LAKE LAWN METAIRIE FUNERAL HOME EVENT CENTER. To view and sign the family guestbook, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com

The family requests that in lieu of flowers; please celebrate Lillian’s memory by donating to a charity of your choice or to St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church and School, 529 West Fifth Street,

LaPlace, LA 70068, (985) 652-9100.

Due to COVID-19, social distancing is encouraged, and masks are required to attend services.