Antonietta Fiorillo, 91, of Monessen, passed away on Tuesday, March 5, at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, with her loving family by her side. She was born on June 22, 1932, in Calvi Risorta, Italy, daughter of the late Francesco and Enrichetta Elia D’Onofrio. Not speaking a word of English, she moved to the United States after marrying her husband, John, to begin her new life in America. She worked as a tailor for men’s fine clothing retailers and department stores. She especially enjoyed creating beautiful fashion designs for friends and family. Her biggest passion was entertaining and preparing delicious gourmet meals. If you ever had the pleasure of a home-cooked meal at Antonietta’s, you would agree she performed magic in her kitchen. She was a member of Epiphany of Our Lord Church, the Mon Valley Red Hat Society, and was an active member at the Mon Valley YMCA. Antonietta loved to travel and especially enjoyed visiting friends and family in Italy. She enjoyed playing cards with her close friends and going on weekend travel excursions. Her kind and gentle heart was shared with all who met her. Her beautiful smile and engaging spirit were always present in her life. Her strong Catholic faith and love of God guided her daily. She also had a special dedication to St. Anthony. Antonietta had a deep love for her family. Spending time with her children and grandchildren was her greatest joy. There was not a dance recital, karate performance or ball game that she missed. She and her son, John, traveled to Houston, Texas, quite often to spend holidays and special events with family there. Antonietta leaves behind a wonderful legacy of being a loving mother, grandmother and a dear friend to so many. She will be dearly missed as her sudden passing has created a huge void in our hearts. She is survived by her son, John Joseph “J.J.” Fiorillo of Monessen; daughter, Mary Sue Patronella and her husband Anthony of Houston, Texas; grandchildren, Trey and Rachel Patronella of Houston, Texas; grandson, Joey Droppa of Elizabeth; sister, Fiorella Galileo of Calvi Risorta, Italy; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins in the United States and Italy. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband, John F. Fiorillo; and sisters-in-law, Philomena “Phil” Fiorillo and Victoria Fiorillo. Friends will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at DALFONSO-BILLICK FUNERAL HOME INC. AND CREMATION SERVICES, 441 Reed Ave., Monessen. Services will be held Wednesday, March 13, 2024, beginning with a blessing service at 9:30 a.m. in the funeral home, followed by a funeral Mass at Epiphany of Our Lord Church at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Michael J. Crookston officiating. Interment will follow at Holy Name Cemetery in Monessen. Memorial contributions can be made to the MD Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 4486, Houston, TX 77210-4486. Condolences accepted for the family at www.dalfonso-billick.com.
