Ernesta Ciriello

Ernesta Ciriello, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and sister, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 22, 2025, at the age of 79. Ernesta was born on October 30, 1945 in Montella, Italy to Teresa and Vincenzo Carbone.

Her early years were spent in the mountains picking chestnut’s, following her siblings around town, creating dolls out of flowers, and helping her family harvest wheat on their farm. 

In 1965 at the age of 20, she came to the United States with her parents and her siblings leaving behind her boyfriend of many years, Giulio. When she left, he gave her an engagement ring and said one day you’ll come back and marry me. When she arrived to America, she worked in a garment factory in Norristown stitching uniforms for the Navy to help support her family. 

On October 27, 1966 she returned to Italy to marry the love of her life in their hometown in of Montella at Holy Savior Church. Ernesta returned to the United States without her husband. He followed and joined her in 1967. 

A longtime resident of Lower Providence, Mrs. Ciriello was a devoted member of Holy Saviour Church, Norristown. She carried with her the traditions and warmth of her Italian heritage, which she shared generously through her passions for gardening, cooking, sewing, and painting.

Her gardens were simply amazing..especially her roses. She had rose bushes that were over 50 years old.

Ernesta’s greatest joy was her family. She is survived by her loving husband, Giulio Ciriello, and their children: Michael Ciriello, Jules Ciriello and his wife Amy, Dave Ciriello and his wife Katie, and their daughter Stephanie Nelligan (late husband Patrick Nelligan, Jr.). She was a cherished Nonna to her grandchildren: Owen, Ava, Michael, Avery, Alayna, Valentino, Scarlett, Chloe, Angelina, Autumn, and Olivia.

Ernesta came from a large, loving family who did everything together. The family includes sisters Elizabeth Gambone-husband Mario Gambone(deceased), Maria Santoro (husband Luigi Santoro), Elisa Bruno (husband Ennio Bruno), and Silvana Bosco(deceased)(husband Giovanni Bosco). Ernesta was predeceased by her brothers Genneroso Carbone, Ludivico Carbone, Lino Carbone, Umberto Carbone (wife Concetta-deceased) and Silvio Carbone (Wife-Jody). The families tight knit bond included countless Sunday dinners, barbecues and holiday gatherings. They raised their families together and always kept in touch. Her surviving sisters and niece Teresa Ceffaratti were always there for her, offering support all the way thru her final day. 

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Thursday, June 26, from 9:00 to 10:00 AM at Holy Saviour Church, 407 E. Main Street, Norristown, followed by a Funeral Mass. Entombment will take place at St. Patrick’s Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in the form of Mass cards or donations to Holy Saviour Church.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care of Volpe Funeral Home. For more information, please contact 610-275-2583or visit volpefh.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ernesta Ciriello, please visit our floral store.