Raffaela Castellitto's Obituary
Raffaela (Dell ’Aquila) Castellitto, age 95, passed away peacefully in her sleep on April 16, 2020 at the Oak Hill Residence in Escondido, California. She was born on July 11, 1924 in the village of Santa Barbara, Province of Caserta/Naples, Italy to Maria (Pontillo) and Salvatore Dell ‘Aquila. She is survived by her two loving sons Bartholomew (Bart) and Salvatore (Sal), their respective wives, Deborah Castellitto and Ivette Castellitto, four grandchildren and one great grandchild of San Diego, California, and many loving nieces and nephews in New Jersey and Italy. She is preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Gioacchino (Jack) Castellitto in 2002 in San Diego, California, and by her brothers, John Dell ‘Aquila, Dr. Gennaro Dell ‘Aquila and sister, Maddalena Centone.
Raffaela immigrated to the United States in 1951 and settled in Hoboken, New Jersey. In the summer of 1960, the family home became 409 4th St. where they lived attending local public schools and faith services at St. Francis R.C. Church. In 1978, Raffaela and Jack moved to 220 Adams St. (Adams Senior Gardens) and enjoyed the neighborhood where they loved and celebrated their lives with family, friends and warm memories. In late summer of 1998, they moved to San Diego to be closer to their sons and family.
Throughout her life, Raffaela was first and always a faithful wife, endearing mother and loving homemaker. She truly enjoyed cooking Italian meals and desserts for family and friends. Preparing her traditional Neapolitan dishes and sharing kitchen recipes with family and friends was just one of the many gifts she leaves behind. Mom, you will always have a seat at the family dinner table as the seat you often made available to others when they came to visit. Raffaela was also a private and spiritual women with a quiet yet fervent religious faith who believed and trusted in a living and compassionate God. Mom, you our favorite neighborhood priest, Fr. Michael will surely welcome you into the heavens ready to say mass just as you liked it, “with a big heart.”
Whether family and friends called her Raffaela, Filu, Filuccia, Nonna or Grandma Ray you will always be remembered especially as our Mom, nostra Mamma. Always speaking to your children in your beloved Neapolitan dialect, today your voice echoes with these very words often said to us, “Chi tena Mamma, che nu chianga.” “If you have a Mom, you need not cry.” But today we do cry. You will remain forever in our hearts, thoughts and daily prayers. You will always be our Mom. Rest in eternal peace.
Bart, Sal and the entire Castellitto Family take this opportunity thank the families and friends who have blessed us with your outpouring of support and loving kindness during this most difficult of times. Your friendship and words of comfort have meant the world to us. Thank you all so very much. God bless us all.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a traditional Catholic funeral will not be held at this time. Interment will be on Monday, April 27th at 11 am. The family plans to hold a memorial service later in the year when we can all be together and remember Raffaela’s life and legacy. However, at this time an online guestbook is available on www.greenwoodmemorial.com for any memories or messages you would like to share. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations may be kindly made to the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and/or the Alzheimer’s Association of San Diego/Imperial Chapter, 5075 Shoreham Place, #240, San Diego, CA 92122.
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