1919 - 2016
COOPERSTOWN - Irene V. Galli, 97, a former resident of Jackson Heights, Queens, and more recently of St. James Manor in Oneonta, passed away peacefully early Thursday morning, October 6, 2016, at Focus Rehabilitation and Nursing Center at Otsego.
Born to Umberto and Natalina (Conti) Rolleri in Newark, New Jersey, on June 21, 1919, Irene grew up and attended school in New York City. She married her childhood sweetheart, Mario J. Galli on June 26, 1938, in Queens where they lived for many years.
Irene worked as a bookkeeper in Manhattan where she also attended classes at the Art Students League. An accomplished artist, she was an active member and officer of the Jackson Heights Art Association and exhibited in Mystic, Connecticut, Long Island and Manhattan, to name a few.
Irene especially enjoyed spending time with family, reading, playing "Scrabble" (would only play by the "official" tournament rules), attending plays, visiting museums and travelling throughout Europe where she frequently discovered subjects for her paintings.
Having served as a volunteer on a weekly basis for the Lighthouse for the Blind in New York City, Irene was awarded a 25-year service pin in 2005.
Irene will be remembered as a true "life-long learner" who inspired her family to pursue their talents and explore the discovery of new ones.
Irene is survived by her daughter, Adrienne Lentini and her husband, Joseph of Cooperstown; two grandchildren, Jennifer M. McArdle of Brewster and Joseph J. Lentini and his wife, Michelle of Scotch Plains, New Jersey; four great grandchildren, Jacy D. Lentini, Aidan T. McArdle, Terence J. McArdle, and Avery J. Lentini; a brother, Peter Rolleri of North Carolina; nephews Bruno, Paul, Richard, David (Kim), Tom and Rob and nieces Diane (Jack) and Lisa.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Mario, who died September 12, 1975, and son, Robert J. Galli, who died January 27, 2003.
The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. on Monday, October 10, 2016, at St. Mary's "Our Lady of the Lake" Roman Catholic Church in Cooperstown, with Fr. John P. Rosson, pastor, presiding.
Interment will be in Long Island National Cemetery in Pinelawn on Thursday, October 13, 2016 at 11 a.m.
As an alternative to flowers, Irene's family suggests that memorial donations be directed to lighthouse guild.org, or mail contributions to Lighthouse Guild, 15 West 65th Street, New York, NY 10023
Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.
If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers at (607) 547-8822, or A Rose is a Rose at (607) 264-3100.
