Obituary of Sr. Eva Marie DiCamillo, OSF

Born: Eva Margarette DiCamillo, August 20, 1929, Niagara Falls, NY Died: February 8, 2021, St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, Allegany, NY Daughter of: Baldwin and Assunta Gasbarro DiCamillo, Niagara Falls, NY Sr. Eva entered the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany on February 2, 1947, was received into the Congregation on August 15, 1947, and professed her final vows on August 16, 1954. Committed to the Franciscan charism, Sister lived for 74 years as a devoted member of the Allegany Franciscan Sisters, sharing her life in community and ministry. Eva attended and graduated from St. Joseph Grammar and Niagara Falls High School, Niagara Falls, NY. She attended St. Elizabeth Teachers College, Allegany, NY, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Education from St. Bonaventure University. She earned a Master of Science in Education from Cortland State University, Cortland, NY, and a Master of Science in Educational Occupational Therapy from Buffalo State College, Buffalo, NY. Sr. Eva touched many lives through her various ministries. She began as an educator in Congregational schools in New Jersey, Massachusetts and New York, serving as Principal at Mount Carmel School, Mt. Vernon, NY. She was an Occupational Therapist at St. Francis Hospital in Allegany, NY, and at St. Anthony Hospital in St. Petersburg, FL. Eva lived for a period of time in the Franciscan Ritiro, Allegany, a prayer community of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany. From 1984-87, Sr. Eva ministered in the St. Elizabeth Mission Society as Mission Procurator, Director of Communications, and editor of Zeal magazine. She also worked in the Housekeeping and Dietary departments at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse. Returning to Florida in 1988, Eva served in public relations at the Franciscan Center. From 1996- 2003, she volunteered greeting visitors at St. Joseph Hospital, Tampa. She officially retired in 2003, but her dedication to ministry was far from complete, Sr. Eva brought her many talents to St. Elizabeth Motherhouse in 2010 when she was warmly welcomed home to Allegany. While there, Eva relished being a liturgical minister in the Motherhouse chapel. She had always been an avid photographer and skilled seamstress and used these gifts to bring joy to others. Her reputation as a seamstress preceded her to Allegany, as sisters and friars from St. Bonaventure University were quick to make appointments for alterations. As part of her volunteer ministry in Allegany, Sr. Eva became a courier for the Generalate, graciously responding whenever a call for assistance was placed. Her warmth and love for all was universal, remembering names, birthdays and special occasions of all she loved. A personally made and professionally crafted card from Eva was a treasured keepsake. Eva created notecards and special occasion cards, stocking the gift shop at the Motherhouse, all of which were bestsellers. An apple tree, planted by Eva in the courtyard of St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, provided years of homemade apple pies, applesauce and treats to the Sisters at the Motherhouse and community members alike. Sr. Eva is predeceased by her parents, Baldwin and Assunta Gasbarro DiCamillo, a sister, Clara Chiappone, a sister-in-law, Emma DiCamillo, and cousins, Sr. Mary DiCamillo, Sr. M. Basil DiCamillo, and Sr. Ann Dolores DiCamillo, an Allegany Franciscan. She is survived by a brother, Joseph DiCamillo, a sister, Ann Marie Creenan, and several nieces and nephews. Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic restrictions, a Memorial Mass will be celebrated at a later date in the Chapel of St. Elizabeth Motherhouse. Burial will be in St. Bonaventure Cemetery, Allegany, NY at a private service. Arrangements are under the direction of Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc., 646 East State Street, Olean, New York. For condolences, please visit www.letromcintoshspinkfuneralhome.com.