Philomena 'minnie' Silvestri

Philomena 'Minnie' J. (DeMauro) Silvestri, 92, of Hartford, beloved wife of the late Louis Silvestri, passed away on August 4, 2010 in Hartford. She was born on March 24, 1918 in Hartford to the late Nicola and Sebastiana DeMauro. Minnie's greatest joys were her husband, her family, cooking Italian foods, pastry and entertaining at her home. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great, great grandmother. She was a lady with character, knew what she wanted, went after it and usually got it. Over the years, Minnie worked hard as a waitress, earning the title of Waitress of the Year. She worked in the Sheraton Hotel and Hilton Hotel, working many weddings, showers and banquets. She loved her job and often said 'if I could work today I would still be working.' She spent 25 years volunteering in politics and never had a problem voicing her own opinion. Minnie enjoyed a good sense of humor, the hot pepper slot machine at Mohegan Sun Casino and her word find books ? stating they kept the mind active. Minnie will be missed by all who love her, however they have many fond memories of her they will treasure. Minnie is survived by her children: Joseph J. Scata and his wife Joan, Lucille Scata, and Sebastian Scata; her grandchildren: LuAnne Gherardi and her husband Frank, Ann Marie Whalen, Lynn C. Haye and her husband Douglas, Joseph M. Scata and his wife Brenda, and John Hollis, Jr.. She is also survived by her great grandchildren: Michelle and Danielle Gherardi, Joseph M. Scata, Jr., and Madison T. Haye. Besides her husband Louis, she was predeceased by her sisters Anna Prestritto and Josephine Fantana, her brother Sebastian DeMauro, also known as 'Bobby Poison Ivy', her daughter-in-law Marianne Scata, and grandchildren Wilfred Cousineau, Jr. and Sebastian Scata, Jr. Funeral services will leave Thursday August 12th at 9:15 a.m. from the D'Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd., Wethersfield for a 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial in St. Lawrence O'Toole Church, 494 New Britain Avenue, Hartford. Calling hours are Wednesday from 4-7 p.m. at the funeral chapel. In lieu of flowers donations in Minnie's memory may be made to Connecticut Children's Medical Center Foundation, Inc., 282 Washington Street, Hartford, CT 06106. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit www.desopo.com.