Ellen M Biancheria

Ellen M. (Pedone) Biancheria, 82, of Worcester and Yarmouth on Cape Cod, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, January 26th 2015, with the family she cherished gathered at her bedside. Ellen was born in Worcester, the youngest of six children of Italian immigrants from Bari, Italy, Frank and Raffaela (DelRosso) Pedone. She grew up in Worcester and graduated from Commerce High. Ellen met, dated, and then married in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church the man who became the love of her life for the next 64 years, Anteo Biancheria. This September would have been 65 glorious years of marriage. They remained in an Italian neighborhood off Shrewsbury Street, in the home she was raised, surrounded by family. In that home, they raised their own family and have lived there happily with a treasure trove of wonderful memories. Ellen is survived by her husband Anteo. She is also survived by her three children: her daughter Brenda E. Raffa and her husband Donald "Chip"; her daughter Dianna L. Biancheria and her life partner, Michael Perro; and her son John A. Biancheria all of Worcester. In addition, Ellen is survived by two grandchildren whom she cherished and who cherished her: Stephanie Raffa-Watson and her husband Eric; and Anthony Raffa. She is also survived by a great granddaughter Cataleya Evelyn, as well as devoted nieces, nephews, extended family and friends she considered family. Her sister Anna Marie Silvestris passed away 3 days prior to Ellen on January 23rd. In addition to her sister Anna and her husband Frank, Ellen joins in eternal life her sister Grace Rana and her husband Frank, her sister Yolanda Palermo and her husband Marino "Marty", her sister Mary Arena and her husband Peter, her brother Julio and his wife Barbara. In her early career, Ellen was an Executive Account Manager at Worcester County National Bank. She then became a stay-at-home mother, for a number of years, to raise her family. In her later years, Ellen worked as a Customer Service Representative for the former Home Federal Savings Bank in Worcester until she retired. Ellen then became a volunteer instructor for the Worcester Public Schools Night Life Program, teaching Italian cooking classes with her daughters. During her retirement years, Ellen served as the official Treasurer for her daughter Dianna's School Committee Campaign. Ellen loved to cook, teach cooking and pass her talents on to others. The greatest moments in Ellen's life were hosting her family, friends and neighbors in her home, in Worcester, and also at their Cape Cod home in Yarmouth. Holidays, special occasions and Cape Cod memories, especially the sunny times at Sea Gull Beach, were most enjoyable to her and the times she treasured. No one could enter her home without the aroma of Italian food or leave without having something to eat. Ellen took great pride in tending to her beautiful gardens and her prize rose bushes. Her inspiration for the last two years and the most compelling element of her life, was making and embracing memories with her great granddaughter, Cataleya. She was a member of Our Lady of Mt Carmel-St Ann Parish and a former member and past president of the Adams Street School Mothers Association. Friends and relatives are invited to calling hours Thursday, January 29th , from 4 pm to 8 pm at the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St. Her funeral will be held Friday, January 30th from the funeral home with a procession to Our Lady of Mt Carmel Church, 24 Mulberry Street, where her funeral mass will be celebrated at 12 noon by her nephew, Reverend Monsignor Stephen Pedone. Burial will follow in St. John's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Our Lady of Mt Carmel Church Building Fund, 24 Mulberry Street, Worcester, MA 01604.