Obituary of Ellen Felice Mattacola

Ellen Felice Mattacola Ellen Felice Mattacola, 75 years old, of Rome, NY, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 2, 2016 after a short but courageous fight with cancer. She was born in Rome, NY, on October 17, 1941, the daughter of the late M. Carmella and Phillip Felice. Ellen was a 1960 graduate of Westmoreland Central School and went on to graduate from Potsdam College with her teaching degree, and later in life, earned her Masters' Degree. She was married to the late Carl Mattacola, her beloved husband. Ellen retired from Westmoreland Central School after 25 years of teaching every grade from Kindergarten through Sixth. She was very active in the Westmoreland Alumni Association, spending countless hours organizing many class reunions. Ellen was a valued member of the Westmoreland Kiwanis Club, where the Christmas party for deserving children was her passion. Her retirement was devoted to traveling the world with her sisters and friends, playing golf and bocce and most importantly, spending time with her precious family. Ellen is survived by her adoring sons and daughter-in-law Carl (Kathleen) Mattacola of Lexington, Kentucky and Gregory Mattacola of Rome, along with her cherished grandsons, Massimo and Nico Mattacola. There was no prouder mother and grandmother. Ellen was blessed with an incredible family especially her sisters and best friends, the 'steel magnolias' – Rose Parisi (Rome, NY), Phyllis Pace (New Hartford, NY) and Sheila (Jim) Brill (Rome, NY) and sister-in-law Mary Felice (Rome, NY). She was predeceased by her husband Carl Mattacola, brother Anthony Felice, sisters Nancie Felice Methvin and Judith Felice Pewter and other loved family members and friends. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, November 5, 2016 at 12:30 p.m. at St. John the Baptist Church, 210 E. Dominick St., with the Rev. Paul F. Angelicchio officiating. Friends may call at the Nicholas J. Bush Funeral Home, Inc., 7751 Merrick Rd., Rome, on Friday, November 4, 2016 from 4-7 pm. Burial will be in St. John the Baptist Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Rome Hospital Foundation for the Radiation/Oncology Patient Support Room, 155 West Dominick St., Rome, NY 13440 or to Abraham House, 1203 Kemble St., Utica, NY 13501. To offer online condolences, please visit www.njbushfuneralhome.com