Eleanor Agnello

Eleanor Ninfa Agnello, 99, of Erie, PA, passed away Thursday, March 28, 2024 peacefully at her home of 67 years. She was born March 9, 1925, to the late Joseph and Lena (Corso) Yapello. Eleanor and her late husband John Joseph Agnello were among the founding members of Our Lady of Peace Roman Catholic Church.

Growing up in Little Italy on Chestnut Street, she began working at her father's fruit stand at the age of 8. Eleanor attended grade school at St Peters Cathedral and graduated high school from Villa Maria Academy, Class of 1944 where she was captain of her basketball team and a member of the Student Council. She studied accounting at Villa Maria College. Eleanor's greatest love was spending time with her family and working with her sons at J.J. Agnello Heating and Air Conditioning. She was a long-standing member of the Women's Italian American Club and was very passionate of her Italian/Sicilian Heritage. She passed down many of those traditions to her children and grandchildren. Her love of music, dance, travel, the peninsula, many friends, and Erie snowy winters were just a few of her simple pleasures that brought her happiness.

The most significant characteristics of Eleanor were her strong Catholic faith and her ability to live for others, especially her family. "Every day is a gift" as she would often say. Aside, from her natural beauty and contagious smile, she had an uncanny ability to find the good in each person and the joy in every day.

She is survived by her six children, Barbara Kolarik (Gary) Emmaus, PA, Kathleen Simmons (Tim) Baltimore, MD, Eleanor Cunningham (Phil) Fairfield, CT, Anthony Agnello (Carla), Thomas Agnello (Teresa), and Philip Agnello (Christina); sister, Antonina Siggia (Charles); and brother, Rocco Yapello (deceased Maryann). She is also survived by 17 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

The Agnello family would like to sincerely thank all of Eleanor's caregivers especially, Kristi, Shawna, Kathy, Rasheeda, Dominique, and Rosalind.

Friends are invited to call on Monday, April 1 at Our Lady of Peace Church, 2401 West 38th Street, from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Mass there at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery. The John R. Orlando Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. To send condolences visit www.orlandofuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to: Masses at Our Lady of Peace Church, or People for Life - www.peopleforlife.org., or to the Gary Sinise Foundation -www.garysinisefoundation.org