Antionetta Amato

Antonietta Amato, born August 24, 1913, the oldest daughter of the late Patsy and Gerlando Amato of Aragona, Sicily went home to be with the Lord whom she loved very much March 9th. 2010. She died in her Mac Arthur home, the fort that had secured her life for the past 70 years. With her were her daughter and son-in law, Carol and Thomas Aaron, both who had cared for her since the death of her son Sam Amato in Nov. 2006. During her illness, she was surrounded by her family and friends. She was called, visited, received cards from, prayed for, and thought about by all who knew her and loved her. She will be reunited with her husband of 53 years, Joe Amato, who owned and operated a long time icon in Mac Arthur, the Amato Shoe Shop, and an infant son Emanuel who died during infancy. Her son Sam Amato, her grandson Stephen Joe Dheel, her daughter Zena and husband Rollen Sansom, her daughter Madeline and husband Steve Ledahawsky, were awaiting her arrival. Her deceased brother and sister, Emanuel Amato and Rosie Amato, will also be waiting for her.

Her only living relative, sister Nellie Amato of Beckley WV, both share a lifelong membership with St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church. Her six surviving children and their families will cherish her memory as they think on all the love she gave them throughout her life. They are Emanuel Amato, children Robert, Anthony, Michael, Richard, Peggy, Penny, Betty Jo; Patsy Amato and wife Dorothy, daughter Karen; Jewell Dheel and husband Frank, children Stephen Joe (deceased), David, Franklin, Grace, and Cathy. Rosemary Chase and husband Ralph, children Melissa, Leslie, Jonathan; Teresa Chase-Bujak, children Laura, Richard, Joe, and her husband Charles Bujak; Carol Aaron and husband Tom, children, Tina, Thomas.
Steve, Frank, Johnnie, Barbara, Susan and Libby are the children of Madeline and Steve Ledahawsky (both deceased). Mary, Ruth and Catherine are the children of Zena and Rollen Sansom (both deceased).

Antonietta and Joe Amato were blessed with the privilege of bringing over 80 lives into this world. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great grandmother. The air in their Mac Arthur home was always permeated with the aroma of Italian cooking, especially Mrs. Amato’s homemade bread and her spaghetti sauce. Hours were spent knitting afghans of all sizes and colors for family members from her daughters and sons in-law to her great-great grandchildren, a gift for every special occasion. Until the age of 94, gardening was her gift to the world as she shared the delicious fruits of her labor with family and friends.

A funeral liturgy will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 12, 2010 at St. Francis deSales Catholic Church with Monsignor Samuel Sacus officiating. A rite of committal will follow in Sunset Memorial Park. Friends may call at Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. Thursday where a rosary will be recited at 8:30 p.m. led by Rev. Mr. Don Wise.On line condolences may be left at www.calfeefh.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family would ask you to send a donation to a church or charity close to your heart in Antonietta Amato’s name.
Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley.