WARREN - Philomena Rita Antonini Stiffy, 89, died Friday, July 23, 2010, at Community Skilled Health Care Centre, following a courageous battle with Alzheimer's.
She was born May 5, 1921, in Montegallo, in the Province of Ascoli Piceno in the Marche region of Italy, to the late Emidio and Domenica Orsini Antonini.
On April 13, 1941, she was united in marriage to James Edward Stiffy, in Perryopolis, Pa., for 32 years.
At the age of five months, Philomena, also known affectionately as Manna or Phil, came to Layton, Pa. In 1954, James and Philomena and their family moved to Warren.
Philomena was a loving and devoted homemaker who enjoyed baking bread, cinnamon rolls, pies, cakes and making homemade noodles and raviolis from scratch. She also cherished crocheting and was especially gifted at making crocheted afghans and crocheted novelty gifts such as Cleveland Browns can clowns. She also treasured her elaborate button collection and loved working in her yard tending to her flowers and plants at her home on Hamilton. She was a volunteer for 25 years at Howland United Methodist Church annual garage sale, where she organized Christmas decorations, knick-knacks, sewing materials and craft items. At the garage sale, she became highly regarded and well-known for her coconut cream pies.
Above all, she was lovingly devoted to her family, which she cherished through her photograph and scrapbooking collections. She memorialized every memento with great detail in tender loving care. Without fail, she always remembered and acknowledged everyone's birthday and anniversaries.
Philomena will be sadly missed by her son and daughter-in-law, Terry and Lissa Stiffy, we love you, mom, God bless you and your family; two grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; one brother; and one sister.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband; one son; three sisters; and one brother.
Private graveside services were held Tuesday at Crown Hill Burial Park, officiated by Pastor James Dittmar.
Arrangements were entrusted to the care of the Carl W. Hall Funeral Home.
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