Antoinette Gazzillo

Antoinette Gazzillo loved life for 100 years.  Born on December 22, 1917 in Wilmington’s Little Italy, she spent her entire life on Scott Street until she passed away on February 3, 2018.  With her passing ends a generation of strong Italian women who bridged the gap for her immigrant parents to the new American life.   She is preceded in death by her parents, Benedetto and Rosaria (DeNisio) Gazzillo.  She is predeceased by her sister Theresa Gazzillo, her brothers Lawrence Cozzillio, Francis Gazzillo and his wife Rita and her brother-in-law Paul Oddo Sr.  Also, predeceased by her nephews Joseph Gazzillo, Paul Oddo Jr. and Joseph Oddo, and great-niece, Hannah Catherine Delaney.  She is survived by her sister and dearest friend, Ann (Gazzillo) Oddo and her sister-in-law Jean Cozzillio. Also survived by her sister Annie’s daughters who loved her dearly, JoAnn (James) Dougherty, Rose Marie (Gerald) Hulton, Benita (Tony) Eoppolo, and Ann (Dino) Altoe. Also, her niece Francine Mulvihill (Chris) and nephews Michael Cozzillio (Krista), Lawrence Cozzillio, and David (Jeanne) Gazzillo. In addition, she is survived by great-grand nieces and nephews Antonia Zigmond, Lea Dougherty, Ryan Dougherty, Carmen Eoppolo, Jane Delaney, and Amelia Altoe who will miss her wealth of wisdom.  Antoinette had a long working career starting at age fourteen. She worked at Delaware Garment, Goodman’s Blouse Factory and the Pennsylvania Railroad where she spent three years not leaving until the end of WWII. She then found employment at St. Francis Hospital and lastly Wilmington Hospital where she retired after twenty-five years.  Antoinette was a huge baseball fan and every year without fail she took vacation to watch the World Series.  Antoinette, out of the compassion of her heart, devotedly helped her sister raise her children after the passing their father.  While her sister Theresa was the family cook, Antoinette was the family historian, teacher of songs and Italian traditions, orchestrator of long walks, storyteller, and most of all a friend.  We would like to give special thanks to Seasons Hospice, Compassionate Care, and the Staff at Gilpin House for their support.  We would also like to give a special thanks to her friend and care giver Joanne Knight for her many kindnesses.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, February 13, 2018 at 11am at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 9th & DuPont St. Wilm., DE. 19805, where family and friends may call after 10am.  Burial will follow Mass in Cathedral Cemetery.

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