Elia Panetta

Elia Panetta of Thornwood, New York went home to Jesus on April 21, 2021, after a long battle with cancer. She was 92. Born March 9, 1929 in Badajoz, Spain, Elia is the daughter of the late Antonio Calero Díaz and Maria Cortés Barrero. Elia received her teaching certificate from Escuela de Magisterio in Malaga, Spain. She worked as a kindergarten teacher in Ronda before setting sail for America in 1956. Elia met her husband Aldo at the Berlitz school in White Plains, NY. They were married in 1957 and moved to Thornwood, where they enjoyed 64 happy years together. Elia was a kind, thoughtful and selfless woman who was generous with her love, hugs and kisses. Her family enjoyed listening to her play Spanish classics on the piano and tell stories about her beloved home country. Elia loved her family above all else. She especially treasured hosting get-togethers with her children and grandchildren, encouraging one and all to enjoy life to the fullest.

Elia is survived by her husband Aldo and their children: Cathy Creed and her husband Frank of Westford, MA; Linda Kane and her fiancé Bruce Strothenke of Thornwood, NY; and John Panetta and his wife Mary of Glastonbury, CT. Elia is also survived by six grandchildren: Jennifer Milligan and her husband Bryce of Charleston, SC; Meaghan Kane and her partner Christopher Shkreli of Newport Beach, CA; Devin Creed of Durham, NC; Elena Henreckson and her husband Jonathan of Malden, MA; Christen Panetta of Florida; and John Panetta of Glastonbury; as well as her sister Isabel Becerra of White Plains and numerous nieces and nephews in the US and Spain.

Elia was preceded in death by her beloved sister Martina Profeta of Harrison, NY, and brother Carlos Calero of Cadiz, Spain.

Elia’s love, warmth and caring will live forever in our hearts. Words cannot express how much she will be missed. We thank God for the 92 years we had with her.

Visitation will be held at the Hawthorne Funeral Home on Tuesday from 9-11 AM. Where Funeral Services will be held at 11 AM. Entombment, Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Hawthorne, NY to follow.

HAWTHORNE FUNERAL HOME

21 West Stevens Ave

Hawthorne, New York 10532

914-769-4404