Elena Castracane

Elena Castracane died peacefully at Schervier Pavilion in Warwick, N.Y., on Sunday, July 7, 2019. She was 85.
She was born in Villa Santa Maria, Italy, on Sept. 24, 1933, to parents Rosario and Rosina Castracane. She came to this country as a young teen. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. Her greatest passion was her family.
Talk about Italian food, she was the best cook. Her favorite motto “food is love,” and there was plenty of that!
Prior to her retirement, Elena worked at Bulova Watch Company in Jackson Heights, N.Y.
She was also very involved in her parish of Our Lady of Fatima while raising her family in Jackson Heights. She loved singing in the choir and volunteering her time with many church functions.
In her retirement, she spent many years living in Hemlock Farms, Hawley, Pa., before moving to Warwick, N.Y.
She is survived by her loving and devoted husband, Tonino Castracane of Warwick, N.Y.; her son, John P. Castracane of Warwick, N.Y.; daughter, Linda A. Belokostolsky and her husband, Denis, of Warwick, N.Y.; five grandchildren, Elliot J. Belokostolsky of Warwick, N.Y., Jonathan E. Bittner of Philadelphia, Pa., Eric J. Belokostolsky of Burlington, Maine, Vanessa M. Miller and her husband, Rob, of Hawley, Pa., and Cynthia A. Caruso and her husband, Tom, of Malvern, Pa.; and four great-grandchildren, Lily, Robbie, Matteo, and Gabriella.
She was predeceased by two daughters, Gabriella Bittner and Marcelle Castracane.
Sincere appreciation and gratitude to Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties especially Joanne, Tricia, Tiffany, Fr. Billy and Denise.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 14, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Lazear-Smith and Vander Plaat Memorial Home, 17 Oakland Ave., Warwick, N.Y. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Monday, July 15, at St. Stephen Roman Catholic Church, 75 Sanfordville Road, Warwick, N.Y. Interment will follow the mass at The Evergreens Cemetery, Brooklyn, N.Y.