Mrs. Amelia C. De Leo, philanthropist, teacher, musician, mentor, family matriarch, mother and wife, passed away peacefully in her home in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, surrounded by loving family, on July 13th, 2024 at the age of 87.
Amelia is survived by her eldest daughter, Dr. Joanna M. De Leo, her youngest daughter, Dr. Andrea J. De Leo; and her granddaughter, Bianca De Leo, MS. Amelia is predeceased by her loving parents, Giovanna Fazzari Cerchie (mother), Joseph Cerchie (father), and loving husband Dr. Frank A. De Leo, a well-known and highly respected physician in the Central Pennsylvania region.
Amelia began her extraordinary life in the small town of Elkland, PA. Born on January 26th, 1937. She was a very intellectually curious young woman who loved her library, reading endless and striving for higher educational goals than most woman of her time. During her college years, she was a sought after fashion model for many of the Upstate New York department stores featuring women’s clothing in the mid 1950’s. With her statuesque appearance and elegant comportment. She completed college earning a BS in Chemistry and Biology, in 1958 and continued on to Graduate school at Bucknell University with a MS in Chemistry in 1959. At which time she married Dr. Frank A. DeLeo, and later began a family.
She was a High School teacher in Elmira, NY and Lemoyne, PA. After beginning a family, she focused on her daughters, their educational goals, philanthropy, music and religion. She was a harpist, a devout Catholic and member of St. Catherine Laboure Church parish. Attending early morning mass for over 50 years. She was a founding member of the Community General Osteopathic Hospital Women’s Auxilliary Board and a well-known philanthropist in the Central Pennsylvania region. She helped manage her husband’s medical practice and multiple real estate properties.
She was an endearing, warm, witty, very generous, loving, industrious, wise and elegant woman who will be remembered time again for her ability to mentor the best in others. She was truly a “rara avis” who had a talent for bringing people together and highlighting their best qualities, in a word she was magnificent. She will be missed greatly and forever cherished and emblazoned in our hearts and in our dearest memories.
Services and Burial will be private.
