Mrs. Anita A. Natoli

June 12, 1927 - May 18, 2012

Anita A. Natoli, 84, of 21 Pomeroy St., Cortland, N.Y., left this world on May 18, 2012, to join her husband to celebrate their 64th wedding anniversary in heaven. She fought through a 5 year long battle with ovarian cancer and all of its complications with grace and dignity that will never be forgotten. Anita was a lifelong resident of Cortland and was born June 12, 1927, the daughter of Angelo and Angeline DiLucci Capaldo. Anita was the anchor for every business endeavor her husband embarked on. She was the bookkeeper, back up employee and manager of all the finances. Whether she agreed with the undertaking or not she was standing with her husband to help the business succeed to provide a comfortable life for their family. At home she called herself the chief cook and bottle washer but she was much more than that. She was the family backbone and coordinator. She was the ultimate in motherhood to her children and grandchildren. She loved attending the youth hockey games, golf matches, figure skating and swim team events of her grandchildren. In her fifties she found she shared a love for golf with her husband and enjoyed her friends and many outings at the Cortland Country Club. Her smile and friendly demeanor will be missed by all. Surviving are her two children, Jerry (Cindy) Natoli of Endicott, and Judy (Robert) Risavi of Cortland; three grandchildren, Erin (Ben) Tongue of Vestal, Christopher Risavi of Cortland and Andrea Natoli of Baltimore, Md.; and one great grandson, Eliot Tongue of Vestal. Also surviving is her brother, Edward (Roxanne) Capaldo of New Haven, Conn; his son, Michael Haight of Camillus, sister in law, Mary Ann Palladino of The Elizabeth Brewster House, brother in law, John (Barb) Natoli, and their sons, Jay, Brian and Mark Natoli, and brother in law, James Perfetti of Cortland. Anita was preceded in death by her parents, in laws, Dominick and Mary Natoli, sister in law Elisabeth Perfetti, brother in law, Pat Palladino and grandson, Joseph Natoli. A very special thank you to; Kathy Kurtz and Heather Donavan for their exceptional personal care, love and support. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday at 10 a.m. in St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church with Rev. Lucian Urbaniak serving as celebrant. Prayers of committal will follow in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery. The family will be present to receive friends on Tuesday from 4-7 p.m. in the Chapel of Riccardi Funeral Home 69 N. Main St., Cortland, N.Y. Contributions in Anita's memory may be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital 262 Danny Thomas Place. Memphis, Tennessee 38105 www.riccardifuneralhome.com