Angelina D. Curnalia

Angelina “Lil” Curnalia, the heart of our home and our lives, passed away peacefully the morning of March 6, 2026, in Syracuse, New York. The good Lord saw her through her 101st birthday then decided it was time to reunite her with her beloved husband and family members who went before her.

Angelina Delores LoSchiavo was born on February 24, 1925, the 13th and last child of Giuseppe and Maria Mirabito LoSchiavo (proud and humble immigrants from the Island of Lipari, Sicily). Lil was born in the same house she lived in for 95 years in Norwich, New York. Her mother passed away when Lil was 12. She dropped out of school in her senior year to take care of her ailing father. Her older brothers and sisters always looked out for her. As each got married, Mom welcomed their spouses into her heart. Mom was the last to marry and was gifted the family home. After raising her own family, she continued living independently until 2019, when she moved to her daughter Cheryl’s home in Baldwinsville, NY. Mom was lovingly cared for until declining health issues necessitated a move to Loretto Health and Rehab in 2025 until the time of her death.

Her love story began when she worked in the Norwich airport restaurant. She met a handsome young pilot and flight instructor named Frederick Ralph Curnalia, whom she married on February 13, 1954, in St. Bartholomew’s Church. A few years later, Cheryl, Ellen and Michael would be born to complete the family. With great sadness, Mom would become a widow as her husband passed away unexpectedly on June 25, 1971, at the age of 46.

For a short time, Lil worked at The Norwich Knitting Mill supplying “skivvies” for the troops in WWII, and as a waitress at W.T. Grants. She also helped her brother John at the Legion Park restaurant on Chenango Lake. Lil was well-known in the Norwich area for her cooking and baking skills. Like any proud Italian, she loved to feed people. Growing up, our home was always filled with family and friends gathered around the kitchen table at any time of the day or night. She used her talents of baking pies, cookies, cakes, and Italian dishes to supplement her income as a caterer. She worked as a cook for Perry Browne Elementary School until her retirement. (She always got herself in trouble for “doctoring up” the government issued foods!) She was a devoted member of St. Bartholomew’s Catholic Church and served on the Ave Maria Guild for many years. She volunteered as head cook for the annual spaghetti dinners and funeral luncheons. She continued her love of baking with Cheryl, and now her Italian cookie recipes seem like sacred memories.

When she wasn’t in the kitchen, Mom enjoyed traveling with friends, playing Bingo, gardening, bowling, playing Scrabble, reading, watching “Jeopardy” and “Wheel of Fortune”, playing Lottery “scratchers”, and any chance to escape to a casino! She also loved betting on football games with her family, and she almost always won! She loved to visit her grandkids in Texas and Arizona during their younger years.

Lil is survived by her children, Cheryl Klein of Baldwinsville, NY; Ellen Elliott of Fort Collins, CO; and Michael (Susan) Curnalia of Flagstaff, AZ. Also surviving are her grandchildren:

Allison (Matthew) Maicher of Seattle, WA; Kristin (Ryan) Ross of Flagstaff, AZ; Jason (Phillip) Jody of Colorado Springs, CO; Jennifer (Dylan) Washburn of Baldwinsville, NY; April Jones (Juston Davies) of Littleton, CO; and Jeremiah Curnalia of Flagstaff, AZ. Five great-grandchildren also survive: Kiera, Elijah, Colton, Arya, and Camden. Several nieces and nephews also survive, with a special nephew John “Sonny” Loscavio, Jr. of San Francisco, CA and niece Margaret Newell of Norwich, NY who loved and honored their “Aunt Lil” all these years.

Lil is predeceased in death by her husband, her parents, her in-laws Frederick F. and Hazel (Warriner) Curnalia; her brothers John (Grace), James (Flora), Frank (Louise), and Joseph (June) Loscavio; her sisters Mary (Lawrence) Pires, Catherine (John) VanHousen; her brother-in-law John (Jean) Curnalia, and her sister-in-law, Esther Gardner. Also preceding her in death are her sons-in-law, Richard Klein and James “Lynn” Elliott.

Mom always put her life in God’s hands. Her unwavering faith, strong work ethic, and the love and support of many friends and family over 100 years, were the reasons for Mom’s long and blessed life. (She also ate well!) She saw many dear friends pass away over the years and cherished those who remained faithful till the very end.

The family would like to thank the 4th Floor Rehab Staff and 5th Floor Nursing Staff at Loretto in Syracuse for their compassion, loving care, and support during the past year. You are true Earth Angels!

Funeral arrangements are being handled by R. J. Fahy Funeral Home in Norwich, NY.

Calling Hours for Lil will be held at R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on May, 18th 2026 From 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM with a memorial service to follow led by Fr. Tony Matthew.. Treasured memories and online condolences to the family can be sent to [email protected].

The last batch of cookies has been made and the oven turned off.