Published in the March 11, 2019 edition.
WAKEFIELD — Concetta Cresta, January 29, 1936 to March 7, 2019. Daughter of the late Maria Picariello and Soccorso Raffaele. Family of five brothers and four sisters, nine in all. Brothers: Angelo, Carmine, Eugenio, Giovanni, and Michael. Sisters: Carmela, Rosina, Concetta, and Immacolata.
Concetta was born in Castelfranci, Province of Avellino, Region Campania, Italy. At the age of 15, she and her whole family moved to a bigger farm in Province of Pisa, Region Tuscany. In 1957, Concetta came to America with her father to live with her uncle John in Pittsburgh. Looking for work, she moved to German Town, Philadelphia to stay with relatives, while working in a clothing factory. In 1958, she got married to Luca Cresta in Italy. They returned to the United States to settle in Wakefield.
On November 5, 1959 they welcomed a daughter, Rosa Marie Cresta, but lost her to cancer on September 16, 2008. They also have a son, Anthony Cresta, born September 2, 1965; now married to Bonnie Greenberg – together they have a handsome 27 year old son, Tyler, and a lovely 18 year old daughter, Sophia.
Concetta, while raising her kids, worked hard for many years at Evans Shoe Shoppe in Wakefield. She made a lot of friends and was always filled with energy. She took care of her home and keeping it clean and always kept a happy attitude. She loved to ballroom dance and most of all, she became a cooking machine; perhaps because she was also an eating machine.
She is survived by her husband Luca; her son Anthony and his wife Bonnie; her grandchildren Tyler and Sophia; her three sisters: Carmela (90), Rosina (85), Immacolata (70); and one brother: Michael (75).
Concetta was a reborn Christian and had a great deal of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; that he would always take good care of her, while in this world and beyond. We are all going to miss her in a very big way and wish she’ll be now resting peacefully forever with the Lord just the way she always wanted to be, Amen.
Visitation for relatives and friends will be held at the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave., Wakefield on Wednesday from 10 a.m. – 12 noon, followed by a funeral service in the funeral home at noon. Interment will be at Forest Glade Cemetery in Wakefield.
