Elvira Ponteri

DELMAR – Elvira "Vera" Ponteri, 94, a resident of Atria Guilderland, passed away at the Hospice Inn at St. Peter's Hospital on Monday, October 31, 2016. Vera was born in Plainfield, NJ on July 15, 1922, the daughter of the late Augustine and Madeline (Fontana) Amato. She resided on Long Island most of her life, being remembered for her beautiful gardens, immaculate home and love of animals. In her sixties, Vera took a job at Holy Family Church in Hicksville, NY, initially cooking for the four or more priests that resided there, but later serving in the intangible role of mother, great friend and respected counselor to all who worked and ministered there. The past three years at Atria Guilderland were filled with helping others while make many new friends. She will be missed by all who knew her. Vera is survived by her daughter, Simone (Brian) Petrocine of Clarksville; granddaughters, Tanya (Matt) Perrault of Berne, Dawn Marie (Jim) Zipp of Schenectady and Jennifer (Mark) Abonezio of Port Jefferson, NY and great grandchildren, James, Stephen, Jeremiah, Allison, Andrew and Cadence. Vera was predeceased by a daughter, Ann McKee and grandson, Christian Petrocine. A funeral mass will be celebrated 11 am Saturday, Nov. 5th at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 35 Adams Place, Delmar. The family will receive visitors at the church beginning at 10:30 am on Saturday. Burial will be in Onesquethaw Cemetery at the convenience of the family. Those who wish may send a remembrance in Vera's name to Community Hospice, 310 So. Manning Blvd., Albany, NY 12208.