It is with heavy hearts that we announce Emily C. Griffo Navatta, 89, has been called to eternal rest among her late husband Dominick, and youngest son, Kenneth. Emily, a vivacious and loving woman who touched the lives of everyone she encountered, had the power to light up a room with her smile and wonderful sense of humor.
Born in Manhattan, NY, Emily met and married her high school sweetheart, Dominick, and had 3 wonderful children: Rochelle, James, and Kenneth. Emily gave 30+ years of service to the Holy Trinity Rectory, where she was a faithful patron of Holy Trinity Parish until her move to Wilmington, NC in 2016. Emily adored her family and friends, thoroughly enjoyed movies, playing BINGO and card games, and simply lived in the moment every day.
Emily leaves her legacy with her darling children: Rochelle and James; son-in-law: Michael; daughters-in-law: Sharon and Laura; her beloved grandchildren: Colin, Dominique, Dayna, Sean, and Jesse; her grandson-in-law: David; her treasured great-grandchildren: Miles, Ruby, Andre, and Cruz; and loving extended family and friends. We will all cherish the many memories Emily has bestowed upon us, and she will be deeply missed.
Visitation sessions will be held at Martin A. Gleason Funeral Home 10-25 150 Street Whitestone, NY 11357 on Saturday, April 20 from 5p-10p; Sunday, April 21 from 2p-4p & 7p-10p; and Monday, April 22 from 9a-10a. Services will be held at Holy Trinity Church 14-51 143rd St, Whitestone, NY 11357 on Monday, April 22 at 10:45a. Interment will follow at St. Raymond's Cemetery 2600 Lafayette Ave, Bronx, NY 10465.
There is an ache within my heart that will never go away. Time is suppose to heal wounds, but it seems as though all it does is make me miss you even more each day that you are gone.
❤Missing you so my "Amazing Grace".
You’re son james.
Always in my heart & missing you so.
Love you Mom,
Rochelle
PS I'll have a Martini toast to your 90th birthday tonight!
THINKING OF YOU TODAY AND EVERY DAY, WITH LOVE!
SHARON
You Knew:
She was warm and welcoming (candy dishes in waiting)
Family always came first (Staten Island by ferry, South Hempstead by Southern State)
She was obligated to be strong and courageous but she always had it in her.
She loved wine or martinis at dinner and those rosy cheeks always gave it away
There could never be too many stuffed animals, decorations or wreaths organized by season.
She just “expected” a call and oftentimes a visit
She cherished life and wanted family and friends to share that gift with her
To blame the mail, never Emily, if the birthday card didn’t arrive before your birthday
Not to try to reach her by phone while she played cards or bingo or was watching “Dancing with the Stars”
She started her day by challenging herself with the word jumble and relished shopping at River Pottery
Friday was beauty parlor and Sunday nails.
A classy lady with matched clothes and jewelry worn with self pride
At times she could be “Parish Secretary” demanding and impatient. Her loving and giving so outweighed it
She was smart, organized and independent while managing to be the best mom, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt and loyal friend
She was the heartbeat of our family and will always remain our Amazing Grace.
If you knew our mother Emily
You knew Love.
Love,
Rochelle, James, Michael, Sharon and Laura
Keppler and Susan Castano
Leave a Tribute
There is an ache within my heart that will never go away. Time is suppose to heal wounds, but it seems as though all it does is make me miss you even more each day that you are gone.
❤Missing you so my "Amazing Grace".
You’re son james.
A remarkable life.
How did you ever do it? Times were so different.Men were the bread providers while women did just about everything else,unrecognized.How could you have envisioned a time when Dom would not be there to write the checks and take you to the grocery store.I'm sure there was extreme fear but you had the inner strength and did what had to be done.Three young children and a household to manage. And manage you did. I always loved your daughter and was fortunate to fall back into her life and to participate in "your" family.You set standards (sometimes not so subtle) and they were right. I know they were right because everyone and I mean everyone respected you for being you.I don't think there was anyone coaching you to be confident,but it evolved quickly and manifested itself in your personal pride. You always took good care of yourself and yet managed to give so much to the family. Never did I see you hesitate to send a gift or scrimp on lobster for Christmas eve..It baffled me how you could so adroitly manage your financial life.I so admired your discipline and organizational strengths. It is work to stay connected and you did it because it was your role.You define matriarch. I thank you for our many personal conversations but most importantly for giving me the daughter that is so much you in many ways.Everyday is an anniversary of missing you.
I miss you mom
I thought of you with love today,
but that is nothing new.
I thought about you yesterday,
and days before that too.
I think of you in silence,
I often speak your name.
All I have are memories,
and your picture in a frame.
Your memory is my keepsake,
with which I’ll never part.
God has you in his keeping,
I have you in my heart.
-unknown
Your loving daughter,
Rochell