Connie Policastro

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Longtime Staten Islander Connie Policastro, 98, of Westerleigh, a retired seamstress who doted on her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, died Saturday in Richmond University Medical Center, West Brighton.

The former Connie Santangelo was born in Brooklyn and moved to Mariners Harbor in her late teens. After she and George Policastro wed in 1937, the couple moved to New Brighton. They had resided in Westerleigh for 54 years.

A member of the former International Ladies' Garment Workers Union, Mrs. Policastro worked as a seamstress for M&M sportswear and numerous other clothing companies. She retired in 1979.

She continued her passion for sewing after retiring, as well as her love of cooking. She enjoyed going to the CYO Senior Center in Port Richmond and treasured time spent with her family.

Mrs. Policastro was a parishioner of Holy Family R.C. Church, Westerleigh.

"We will gravely miss her," said her daughter, Constance Santore.

George, her husband of 68 years, died in 2005.

Surviving, along with her daughter, Constance, are her daughter, JoAnn Ysoelevich; four grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.

The funeral will be Tuesday from the Casey Funeral Home, Castleton Corners, with a mass at 9:45 a.m. in Holy Family Church. Burial will follow in Moravian Cemetery, New Dorp.