Of Amherst, New York following a sudden illness, surrounded by her family, entered into rest on October 22, 2023, at age 85. Beloved wife of 39 years to the late Peter R. Rao. Loving mother of Christa (nee Rao) Greenberg, Peter G. (Mary) Rao and Patrick (Debra) Rao. Dear grandmother of Nicole, Mary (Mark), Andrew, Matthew, Lauren, Genevieve, Peter, Nicholas and Stephanie. Great grandmother of Evan and Alexander. Daughter of the late Joseph and Maria (nee Balsamo) Baldoni. Sister of Rudolpho (Dorothy) Baldoni and the late Guildo, Dovilio (Alleen), Mario (Yvonne), Ida (Alexander) Gattenella, Josephine, Armando (Monica), Albina (Thomas “Masi”) Mancini and Peter (Dorothy). Sister-in-law of Thomas (Barbara) Rao. Also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. No prior visitation. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, October 27, 2023 at 9am at St. Leo the Great R.C. Church, 885 Sweet Home Rd. Amherst, NY 14226, where memorials may be made in lieu of flowers c/o St. Leo the Great Rosary Altar Society. Please assemble at church. Memorials may also be made to the University at Buffalo Women's Club’s Grace Capen Academic Award Fund in Connie's memory. Concetta or “Connie” as she was fondly known, was a proud University of Buffalo alumna (1959) where she also met her late husband and later achieved her masters degree at SUNY at Buffalo in 1990. In 1997 she retired from an over 30 year teaching career predominantly within the Sweet Home school district as a Kindergarten teacher. She was an active member of countless local organizations including: the aforementioned Rosary Altar Society and Young At Heart Club at St. Leo the Great where she was a parishioner of over 40 years; an officer and board member of the UB Women’s Club; member of several book clubs; the UB gourmet club; the Grover Cleveland women’s golf league; a former docent and frequent patron of Shea’s Buffalo, and a former member of the Sweet Adelines Chorus. Arrangements by PERNA, DENGLER, ROBERTS FUNERAL HOME. Fond memories and condolences may be shared at www.denglerrobertspernafuneral.com.
