DIOGUARDI, GRACE (NEE PAPARELLA) - Grace DioGuardi (nee Paparella) died peacefully in her home in White Plains, New York, on February 6. She was ninety-three years old. Grace was born on 100th Street in Manhattan to Michael and Anna Paparella, who emigrated from Bari, Italy, in 1910. She was one of five sisters and a brother. On January 8 1939, she married Joseph DioGuardi, Sr. at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in the Bronx. They owned and operated a neighborhood supermarket on East Tremont Avenue in the Bronx from 1945 to 1968. In 1957, Grace and her husband moved with their three children to Orchard Hill in White Plains. Joe, Sr. passed away in 1987. Grace enjoyed music and loved to sing and dance. In retirement, she spent most of her time with her children and grandchildren, who were her pride and joy. She was a member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Elmsford for fifty years. Grace is survived by her three children, former Congressman Joe DioGuardi of Ossining, Richard DioGuardi of Peekskill, and Angela Olivieri of Elmsford, seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She is also survived by a sister, Antoinette Vodola, age 95, of Flushing, New York. Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, February 8, from 2 to 5 pm and from 7 to 9 pm at McElroy-Flynn Funeral Home on 72 East Main Street in Elmsford. The Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, February 9, at 11 am, at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, 57 East Main Street, Elmsford. Interment will follow at Ferncliff Cemetery, Hartsdale, New York. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in the name of Grace DioGuardi to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School, 57 East Main Street, Elmsford, New York 10523.

Published: Thursday, February 8th, 2007