Elena Richardson

Elena Vitali Richardson

Age 83, of Watkins Glen, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, September 1, 2010 at Arnot-Ogden Medical Center.

The family will receive friends and relatives at the Royce-Chedzoy Funeral Home, 212 E. 4th St., Watkins Glen, on Friday, Sept. 3 from 4-6 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s of the Lake Church, Rev. Paul Bonacci celebrant. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Elena was born in Elmira, NY on March 22, 1927, the daughter of Adrian and Philomena Vitali. A lifelong resident of Watkins Glen, she worked as a retail clerk at the former Guild Brothers in Montour Falls and Watkins Glen.

Elena was a communicant of St. Mary’s of the Lake Catholic Church, and a member of the St. Mary’s Guild and Resurrection Choir. She also volunteered as a Reading Buddy at the Watkins Glen Elementary School for many years.

Elena was predeceased by her parents. She was also predeceased by her husband of 53 years, John W. Richardson, in 2000, and by a sister, Kathleen Ann Hall.

Elena is survived by her children, Diana (Gordon) Perry of Ithaca, Thomas (Peggy) Richardson of Watkins Glen, and Andrea Reynolds of Geneva; sister Victoria (Robert) Diltz of Sayre, PA; grandchildren Chad Perry, Kristin (Ashford) Bradly, Nicholas (Sarah) Reynolds, Katie Richardson, and Samuel Richardson; and a step-granddaughter, Jessica Franzese.

Memorial donations may be made to Schuyler County Ambulance, PO Box 2, Watkins Glen, NY 14891. You may sign a guestbook or view her memorial online at www.Royce-Chedzoy.com