Cristina Pistilli

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Cristina Pistilli, 103, of Grasmere, a the loving matriarch of four generations of family who will be remembered for her joyful spirit and her wonderful guidance, died Monday in Carmel Richmond Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, Dongan Hills, where she had been a patient for three weeks.

Born Cristina D’Aquila in Vinchiaturo, Italy, she immigrated to the United States with her husband, Giovanni Pistilli, in 1958, settling in Arrochar. She lived there until 2002, when she moved to Grasmere to live with her daughter, Carmela Petosa.

She was a member of the San Bernardino Society, West Brighton.

Mrs. Pistilli enjoyed crocheting, reading and was a talented cook. She most loved spending time with her family.

She was philosophical about life and always had an encouraging word for everyone. Her wisdom, as a centenarian, was legendary, family said. She could always be counted on to shed a positive light on any situation, and her sense of humor always helped enormously. As their angel, she will be greatly missed, they said.

Mrs. Pistilli was a parishioner of Holy Rosary R.C. Church, South Beach.

Giovanni, her husband of 65 years, died in 1997.

Surviving, along with her daughter, Carmela, are her son, Nicola; her daughter, Maria Logatto, five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren.

The funeral will be Saturday from the Virginia Funeral Chapel, Dongan Hills, with a mass at 9:30 a.m. in Holy Rosary Church. Burial will follow in Moravian Cemetery, New Dorp.

Arrangements under the direction of Virginia Funeral Chapel, Staten Island, NY.