Philomena H. (Mongillo) Washburn

Philomena was born on Jan. 23, 1923, the first child of five siblings born in Oneonta to Italian immigrants, Pasquale and Rosina Mongillo, from the "Lower Deck" on West Broadway. She was the last of her family generation from the 20th century.

At that time, they made homemade wine, movies were a nickel, and passenger trains were running as most people did not have cars. There was ice skating in the park where couples could meet, dance halls were open, the horse and buggy brought milk and the circus would come to town. Breese's was the place where you could shop and have breakfast.

Philomena went to Saint Mary's School where the nuns were teachers. Following eighth grade, she went to Oneonta High School. As a kid she picked strawberries for Mr. Todd and remembers Fred and Mert, the brothers who lived in the Swart-Wilcox house. Her father, Pasquale, and brothers worked on the D&H for many years. Philomena would walk on the railroad bridge to work in the mica factory on Chestnut Street across from Nick's Diner where the railroaders went for breakfast. She has fond memories of her life in Oneonta.

Philomena was a great homemaker and cook. She carried on the Italian tradition of cooking all the dishes, spaghetti & homemade meatballs her specialty. Entertaining guests to dinners was her joy in life, mangia mangia. She crocheted all her life which she learned from her mother. Philomena happily gave away many afghans to everyone she knew.

Philomena married Charles A. Washburn on Nov. 23, 1941, just two weeks before Pearl Harbor. While Charlie was in Europe in World War II, her first child Charles Jr. was born. After the war, Dolly, Poncho and Gary were added to the family and they all lived in Unadilla for many years.

In addition to her husband, who passed away in 1997; Philomena is predeceased by her parents; brothers, Tony and Mike Mongillo; and sisters, Virginia Naples, Hope Davidson. She has several grandchildren and great-grandchildren along with many nieces and nephews

The family would like to thank all the people who assisted in caring for Philomena during her later years.

Thank you so much Carol and many others that were good and caring people.. Please know that you made life for Phil and her family much easier during her declining health. Philomena will be missed by her family and they feel blessed that she lived 102 years.

A funeral mass for Philomena will be held on Thursday, January 23, 2025 at 11:00 AM at St Mary's Church, 39 Walnut St, Oneonta, New York 13820.

Burial will take place in the spring in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Emmons.

Arrangements are by the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home of Oneonta.

Please visit www.grummonsfuneralhome.com to leave a condolence or memory for the family.