Emilia Salerno

On Christmas Day, December 25, 2024, Jesus took Emilia Salerno home to be with him on His birthday. She was 99 years young. Emilia immigrated from Italy in 1960 with her husband Mike, daughter Rose and son Al. She lived in New York where she raised her family, worked as a button sorter and later worked as a machine operator for a machine shop. In 1987 she and her husband Mike moved to California to be close to Rose and Al. She spent the next 37 years gardening, cooking and enjoying her family. Cooking was her passion. She cooked and baked not only for her family but neighbors and friends as well. Every holiday was celebrated with a traditional Italian feast with recipes that were all from memory. No matter how hard anyone tries to duplicate the dishes they never turn out quite like hers! The kitchen was her domain.

Emilia’s first grandchild was born in 1983 and she has been known to everyone since as Grandma and especially as Nonna/Nonni (Italian for Grandma). She spoiled her 4 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren with love and hugs and special Nonni treats including pastina with butter and Nonni muffins and anything they desired.

Emilia loved puttering around her house well into her later 90s. When she was not cooking or spoiling her grand/great-grandchildren she was usually shopping with friends, participating in church and senior functions as well as gardening. Her green thumb was legendary, both for veggies and beautiful flowers, plus all the plants she had around her house. She also loved to crochet and knit. She’s made and we all love our Nonni blankets, hats and scarves for every occasion from Christmas to birthdays to new babies being born.

Emilia is survived by her daughter Rose and son-in-law Casey Cadwell, her daughter-in-law Dee Salerno, her grandson Michael Salerno and his wife Nuria, her grandson Anthony Salerno and his wife Melanie, her grandson Nicholas Salerno and his wife Natalie, her grandson Kyle Cadwell, and her great-grandchildren Luca Rafael, Dominic Joseph, Jason Joseph, Emilia Jean, Poppy Lee and Olive Nicola.

Emilia’s passing has left a huge emptiness in the hearts of her family and friends. She had the kindest and warmest heart and was loved by everyone who met her. We were blessed to have her 99 years and 7 months even though it still doesn’t seem like it was enough. We still expect to see her coming down the hallway or cooking in the kitchen or sitting in her chair crocheting and watching Jeopardy and Wheel of fortune which were her favorite game shows. She will be missed deeply and will be forever in our hearts.

Services for Emilia will be held at Chapel of the Pines on 1/6/25 at 5:30.

A Mass will be held on 1/7/25 at St. Patrick's Church at 3109 Sacramento St Placerville at 1pm.

Following the Mass Emilia will be laid to rest at Placerville Union Cemetery alongside her husband Michele.

Chapel of the Pines is a proud supporter of a locally owned floral company, Placerville Flowers on Main. Please give them a call for all of your florist needs: (530) 622-1121.