Eleanor L. (DeMaria) Gentile

Eleanor L. Gentile

1923 – 2024

   Eleanor L. Gentile age 100, of Glen Mills died peacefully May 12, 2024. She was predeceased by her loving husband Americo Gentile, parents Ralph and Florence (nee Ficara) DeMaria and brother Russell DeMaria.   She is survived by her loving spouse of 10 years Nick Lucas, her children, Nadina Workman and Deborah (Richard) Rogers,  beloved grandchildren, Dean (Kate) Workman, Lauren (Mark Colacchio) Workman, Shannon (Jesse) Mikula, Jason (Elena) Rogers, and cherished great grandchildren William Workman, Robert Workman, Finlay Mikula, Eleanor Mikula, Rose Rogers, Henry Rogers and many other family members and friends.  

Ellie was born in South Philadelphia where her family operated 4 pastry stores.  Ellie said she arrived on a Saturday morning at 8:00am, which was bad timing on her part, since that was the busiest time of the week for the store. She and her brother attended the local parish school until 1933 when the family sailed to Sicily for an extended visit with family.  Upon her return the family opened a business on 9th street next door to Fante’s.   She attended public school until she was selected to attend Girls High.  Upon graduation she entered a program at Philadelphia General Hospital to become an Xray technician and worked as such until her marriage to Americo Gentile in 1947.  Her daughter, Nadina was born a year later.  After her second daughter, Deborah was born in 1955 the family moved to the Saint Dorothy’s parish where Ellie actively volunteered at the church and the Girl Scouts.  In 1960 she began a successful career with Girard Bank retiring in 1987.  A talented seamstress, Ellie volunteered to sew habits for The Little Sisters of the Poor.  As a widow she moved to the Maris Grove Community in 2007 and married her beloved husband Nick Lucas in 2013 where they lived happily until her death.

         Relatives and friends are invited to her viewing Saturday, June 1st, 2024 beginning at 9:00 – 10:30am at St. Dorothy’s Church, 4910 Township Line Road, Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania 19026 with Funeral Mass at 10:30am.  A private burial will follow.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to The little Sisters of the Poor, 5300 Chester Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19143. 

https://littlesistersofthepoor.org/donate-to-lsp/

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