Lillian S. Capraro

Born on December 20, 1941, to Frank and Hazel Baker in Ossining, NY. Growing up in Yonkers, NY at the Andrus Children's Pavilion she took much interest in swimming which led her to receive medals in her well known back stroke. At age 15 they granted her a job at the home to pick flowers before the local baseball players played on the fields. During this time she stumbled across what would lead to her love story with my poppy, Richard John Capraro. After graduating from Commerce High school at age 18 she was let go from the facility with $50 and a bus ticket to the local YWCA. My poppy was sick over this, he wouldn't eat, speak, or leave his room. Seeing how hurt this made him, his parents sent him to get her. Living together at 18 years old led to marriage not long after. On May 6, 1962 they married at St.Anthony's Church in Yonkers, NY. They quickly became parents in 1963 to their first child, Richard John Capraro Jr. Within 7 years from him she gave birth to 3 more beautiful babies Kimberly Capraro in 1966, Francis (Butch) Capraro 1968, and John Capraro 1970. With a fast growing family and a husband on duty for the Yonkers Police Dept. she took on the role as homemaker gracefully, taking care of her children and many children in the neighborhood. Till this day my family and I are still greeted with warm stories of "Mrs.C" all the food she cooked, people she cared for and butt whoopings she gave out. She was a pillar to many and mothered all. In 1987, Richard John Capraro The Third was born. Her very first grandchild. Her name quickly changed to "Gram" I have to believe this was her favorite title. Selfless, playful, caring, fun, so active and full of life. She documented everything and was always willing to take a drive to go on adventures. Quickly there became 8 of us, Christina, Amanda, Joey, Jessica, Nicky, Vivian, and John Jr.

Gram never missed a beat, from babysitting, to school graduations, playing ball in the backyard, teaching us all to swim and buying us whatever pets our hearts desired. Going to Gram and Pops house was always fun to be had. Summer 2007 this quickly came to an end, Gram went in for triple bi pass surgery and suffered a stroke not long after. This summer would change her entire life. After working hard day by day in physical therapy she came home in late August. Her and Pop had so many plans. Plans for their future together. A trip to Florida to see their last grand baby be born, her first airplane trip that she promised she’d go on, and unexpectedly the love of her life passed away. August 26, 2007 my Poppy was greeted at the gates of heaven and my Aunt, Kimberly Capraro would become her sole care provider. For 17 years my grandma put up a fight each day she opened her eyes. In 2015 her first great grandson, Matthew Richard Pino Jr was born. Quickly after there were 6 more Angelo, Lorenzo, Wyatt, Joey, Frankie and Bennett. She wore the title of Gigi proudly and though these boys didn’t get to experience her on her best days physically she made each visit with them a time to remember. Watching her play keep it up, arm wrestle, board games, and just sitting on the porch to watch them swim showed you just how strong of a woman she truly was. No complaints, just smiles. If you knew Gram you knew that contagious smile. She left behind an entire family that loved her beyond measure. I’m not sure how I will break this news to my 5 little boys, she held a very important part in their hearts, their souls. They enjoyed every bit of her so much. Just a few weeks ago we were lucky enough to snuggle in bed beside her, Aunt Kim, even her amazing aid Sandra and play back all the home videos she documented of our family through the years. What will stick with me forever is her 60th surprise party. Tears rolled down her eyes watching herself dancing to Elvis “Falling in love with you” in my poppy’s arms. I remember texting Aunt Kim asking her to make sure she was ok that night because her emotions were so pure. When I got to say my last goodbyes that video played in my head. I knew my grandma was where she wanted to be, in his arms, able to walk again, eat what she wanted, have no pain, no suffering. Life is weird like that. It’s comes full circle in a blink of an eye but what always remains is love. No matter where gram might be, no matter how long we live on without her she will always remain alive because the love we all shared is unbreakable. Heaven, Earth nothing can break what we shared with her. I can only hope to grow to be the woman, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, friend and great grandmother she lived to be.

Visiting hours will be at Whalen & Ball Funeral Home on Monday 5-9pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Christ the King Church on Tuesday December 19th at 10am. Interment will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery.