Concetta DePalma

Concetta Rose DePalma, born on October 12th, 1931, to the late Felice and Olympia Tranchese. She is survived by her daughters Lillian and Adriana (Steve). Her beloved grandchildren Andrew (Katelyn), Alexandra and Raffaele and her cherished Great-grandchildren Zach and Abby. Her brother Frank (Barbara) and sister Camille and her many nieces, nephews and god children.

Connie began her journey in East Harlem she attended PS 78 and then PS 159 and in 1949 she graduated Central Needle Trade HS. A strong work ethic and unconditional love of family were the corner stones of all of Connie's decisions throughout her life journey. She started working at 12 by lying about her age to get a job in a flower factory making artificial flowers. She also worked in the 5 & Dime as well as the mandatory work at the family candy store on 121st/122st and 1st Avenue. Which not only included work behind the counter but the trips over the Bridge to buy the discount cigarettes with her dad or the trips with her mom to buy the items that were sold in the back of the candy store...... Connie was always worried about a steady paycheck so she left the factory and started her career of over 40 years at Blue Cross Blue Shield where she escalated from a data entry clerk to an Account Manager and Supervisor, with her favorite clients in New Yorks Diamond District. After her so called retirement Connie continued to work until the age of her early 80's.

Connie was married in 1953 to her beloved husband Andrew they first resided in Pelham Bay in the Bronx and later moved to North White Plains where she stayed until her move to Monroe Ct and then her final home in North Ft. Meyers Fl. Having lasting friends and memories made in all of those homes. The location never made the home Connie did.

Connie always enjoyed a social event. It could have been playing basketball or ping pong as a kid or one of the many dinner dances she attended over the years or a church feast, which she was usually working at or the infamous Tran Clan events. She was either cooking up a storm, making a dress for someone to wear, on the dance floor for the entire event or singing and playing some game with too many rules for her to remember. Her quick wit always had the room in laughter and her inner beauty and the gift to put others needs before her own made her the remarkable wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend she will always be remembered for. If you spent a moment or a lifetime with her she made an impact on your life and you definitely walked away not only happier but wiser for it.

We love you Connie, Mom, MeMa, Tina. Your spirit lives on within all of us, who forever will love and remember you.

In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations in Connie's memory be made to the RAINN Organization.