Erna Elizabeth De Cecco

Erna Elizabeth De Cecco, 96, passed away on Saturday, August 11th, 2018. Born in Indianapolis on June 14th, 1922, to Dominic and Margherita (Ambroset) Santarossa, Erna attended Marian College before earning her Master of Education from Indiana University and beginning her career as an educator for the Indiana School for the Deaf. Erna was a parishioner and church choir member at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Indianapolis for 40 years as well as a longtime member of the Italian Heritage Society. Erna married Carlo De Cecco on April 23rd, 1960, and they were together for almost 43 years until he passed away in 2004. Erna was also preceded in death by her parents, brother Mario Santarossa, sister Vera Gina Russell, sister-in law Elsie Santarossa and niece Kathy Smith. Erna was a life-long learner who loved education in all forms. She was a voracious reader, had the memory of someone half her age, and constantly strived to be informed of the happenings in our world. Her dedication to the Catholic Church was ever-present and admirable. As a student of humankind, she had an unmatched interest in every person she came across in her life. If you met Erna, she wanted to truly know you. She will be deeply missed by daughter Anita De Cecco-Boehm, grandson Michael Boehm, nieces Pamela Krull, Teresa Kovey and Marie Walden, and nephews David Santarossa, John Santarossa and Rob Santarossa and their families. A visitation celebrating Erna's life will be held on Friday, August 17th at Feeney-Hornak Shadeland Mortuary, 1307 North Shadeland Avenue from 4:30 until 7:30PM, followed by the saying of the rosary until 8:00PM. Her funeral Mass will be on Saturday, August 18th at 10:00AM at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 7243 East 10th Street, Indianapolis. Sharing of memories and expressions of condolence can be made at www.feeneyhornakshadeland.com. Erna's family respectfully asks that any donations in her name be made to the Marian Fund of Marian University at https://marian.edu/_forms/give-to-marian.