Emilia Sposito

Emilia Sposito, age 87 of Ithaca, New York, passed away peacefully on October 1, 2024, at home surrounded by her children and beloved husband.

Born October 22, 1936, in Casanova DiCarnola, Caserta, Italy, she was the daughter of the late Antonio Martullo and Stella DeRosa. At just seven years old, she met the person who would eventually be her husband, Leopoldo (Leo) Sposito, a childhood friend of her brother's. They developed an unbreakable friendship, a soul connection, and a never-ending flirtation; a pre-teen Emilia was known for knocking flowerpots off her balcony to grab his attention.

After graduating high school, she developed her skills in seam stressing and homemaking. When Leo returned from the military, the two became engaged and were married on August 31, 1963, spending their honeymoon traveling the Italian countryside.

In 1964, Emilia had her first child, Donatella (Donna), followed by her son in 1968, Luigi (Lou). That same year, this new family of four took the risk of a lifetime and decided to move to the US. Emilia, not knowing the language and with no family waiting for her arrival, took a leap of faith and arrived in Ithaca, the city she would call home for the rest of her life.

Despite a language barrier and the need to establish new relationships, Emilia quickly became a staple within the city; embedding herself in Ithaca's growing Italian community, creating connections with friends and neighbors through her food, and building what would be an iconic Ithaca restaurant in the heart of downtown.

In 1976, Leo and Emilia and Leo’s brother Emilio, opened the well-loved pizza shop Napoli’s, known for its delicious food and familial charm. Most will remember a 4'10” Emilia behind the counter in a flour-coated apron, alongside Leo tossing fresh dough in the air

In the slivers of time Emilia could break away from the hustle and bustle of restaurant ownership, she basked in her role of "Nonna" to her five grandchildren. Always eager to attend sports games, cook after-school meals (that often contained bowls of spaghetti, chicken cutlet, and fried calamari), mend ripped jeans, be there for after-school pickup, and host sleepovers on the weekends.

In 2002, the pair retired for a well-earned break, and Emilia filled even more of her time with her passions and interests: cruising to the Caribbean, tending to her flower garden, sitting hand-in-hand with Leo on the front porch, and continuing to show her love through her cooking.

From "Emi" to "Ma" to "Nonna," Emilia has made an indelible mark on everyone around her; her courage an inspiration, her kitchen a source of comfort, her laugh hearty and infectious, and her love like no other--warm, loyal, and fierce. Her relationship with her soul mate inspired all who met them. Everyone who knows her has felt the incredible weight of her absence and will miss her greatly.

Emilia is survived by her husband of 61 years, Leopoldo; daughter, Donna (Jack) Sutton; son, Luigi (Jennifer) Sposito; grandchildren, Luke (Bethany Huey) Bizzell, Daniela (Ben) Young, Kylie Sposito, Ryan Sposito, Chase Sposito, and siblings Elena, Licia, Mario, and countless nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 am on Thursday, October 10, 2024, at Immaculate Conception Church. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospicare, 172 E. King Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850; Parkinson’s Charity, or The Alzheimer’s Association.