Obituary of Concetta Maria Salerno

DELHI Surrounded by her family, Concetta Maria Salerno left our loving arms to be with her Lord, Tuesday May 8, 2012. Following months of courageously battling cancer, she left this life with the same grace and dignity that she lived it with. She leaves behind a void in our lives and many heavy hearts. She was born June 2, 1928 in Carini, Italy. One of 14 children, she was the daughter of Anthony and Josephine Basile. At the age of 20, she came to America and lived with her brother Mike in Brooklyn where she met who was soon to be her husband, Francis. She married Francis Salerno at the church of the Holy Name in Brooklyn - June 3, 1951.They lived in Brooklyn for one year, then moved to Long Island where they raised their family of five boys. In 1971, she and her husband Francis moved to Stamford, then opened Nina's Pizzaria in Delhi in 1974. Though she never attended school, she was a very astute businesswoman. A woman of many virtues, she opened her heart to all who met her. Her time was spent healing and helping others in need. Beginning at home raising 5 children- their home was the gathering place for friends in the neighborhood. There was always a pot on the stove and always room for another plate at their table. During her years at Nina's, she became known as "Mama Salerno" feeding hungry college students, knitting booties and blankets for new mothers and delivering a hot meal to a friend in need. Recently, when a flood plagued the Sr. Center in Delhi, her 2nd floor apartment became a safe haven for many residents - here she shared blankets and pillows, then cooked 3 meals a day for all who came until the flood waters receded and they could return to their homes. She continued this habit of bringing soup to the sick and elderly at the complex. One of her favorite pastimes was gardening. She had a special touch and could make anything grow and bear fruit. This past winter she spent many hours planting tiny tomato seeds- watering and nurturing them each day - to provide flowering tomato plants to her sons, for their gardens in the spring. Her home was always filled with flowers and plants of every description. She was a devout Christian, attending mass every Sunday when she was well. She enjoyed many different religions and visited all of the Delhi churches where she made many new friends. Often times she would sit on the front steps after mass to listen at a 1st communion class to enjoy the children and the scriptures. She was predeceased by her son John and husband Francis. Concetta is survived by her sons and their wives - Frank and Karen, Anthony and Meg, Dawn, Steve and Joanne and Mark and Sheri. Her adoring grandchildren - Tracy, Jackie and Andrew, Christin and Anthony, Alicia and Sara, Steve and Justine, Fiona and Lila and 1 great grandchild - Landon, along with Rich, Christina, Rob, Kevin, Anthony, Sierra and many devoted friends who count themselves among those she loved dearly. Calling hours are Friday, May 11th, from 4-9 pm. A mass of Christian Burial will take place Saturday, May 12th at 11 am at Saint Peter's Catholic Church in Delhi. Family and friends are invited to gather for refreshments following the mass at the Delhi Senior Community Center on Main Street in Delhi from 12:30 to 2:30. Burial will be held at 3:30 pm at the Sacred Heart cemetery in Stamford. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the O'Conner Hospital In -Patient Nursing Unit. These devoted nurses honored her and cared for her with love and compassion in her final days. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.macarthurfh.com. Arrangements are by the MacArthur Funeral Home of Delhi.