"Nonna" Ida(Rosati) Di Pasqua, 96, passed away peacefully with her loving family by her side on December 29, 2008, at her home with her son and daughter-in-law in Sauquoit. Ida was born on September 10, 1912 in Gamberale, Abruzzi, Italy, the daughter of Francesco and Filomena (Sciulli) Rosati. On September 25, 1938, she was joined in marriage to Nicola Di Pasqua. They owned and operated a tailor shop in the small town of Bomba. In 1956 Nicola immigrated to the United States where he was soon joined by Ida and their four sons in December 1958. They settled in Rome, NY where they raised their sons and resumed their family tailoring business. Nicola and Ida shared a blessed union of 32 years until Nicola's passing in 1970. "Nonna" Ida exemplified the motto of her home province, Forte e Gentile, "strong and kind." Not only was she strong in body and in character, she was kind beyond words. Ida's unconditional love for God and family surpassed all else in her life. She practiced self sacrifice in all that she did, always placing the needs of others before her own. She always had a warm, loving smile and a gentle embrace for everyone she encountered. She shared her love through her talents of cooking, sewing, crocheting, and knitting countless baby outfits and blankets. She was also greatly devoted to Saint Padre Pio and Saint Rita. She is survived by her four sons and daughters-in-law, Joseph and Carol DiPasqua of Sauquoit, Frank and Pat DiPasqua of Cicero, Aldo and Maryellen DiPasqua of Palm Bay, FL, and Dino and Nancy DiPasqua of Cocoa, FL; 13 grandchildren and their spouses, Joseph and Sharon DiPasqua, Cristina and Luigi Pedulla, Nicholas and Genie DiPasqua, Franco and Aimee DiPasqua, Aida and Michael Mariani, Anthony and Dawn DiPasqua, Anna Teresa DiPasqua and fiancé Joseph Kuebler, Nicole and Adam Varrenti, Marybeth and Joseph DeGroot, Kendra and Alex Schwitter, Aldo DiPasqua, Gina DiPasqua and Vincent DiPasqua; 20 great-grandchildren, Bianca Ida, Domenic, Joseph, Rachel, Nicholas, Gabriel, Christian, Samuel, Elayna, Sabrina, Angelo, Michael, Joey, Nathan, Zachary, Gabriel, Joseph, Joshua, Mia and Max. She is also survived by two sisters; a brother and sister-in-law; as well as many nieces and nephews in Italy. She was predeceased by her brothers Dino and Alfredo; and three childhood siblings. In keeping with Ida's wishes there will be no public visitation. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Mrs. Di Pasqua's Mass of Christian burial, which will be celebrated on Friday, January 2, 2009 at 11:00 AM at the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, Utica. The family will receive visitors at the conclusion of the Mass. Entombment will take place in the Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum. Arrangements are under the guidance of the Bentz & Amodio Funeral Service, Inc., 470 French Rd., Utica/New Hartford. The family wishes to extend its heartfelt appreciation to all at Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc. and especially to Father Amedeo Guida, for his continuous love, support, and prayers over the years. Nonna, we will all miss you with your bright eyes and loving smile. Thank you for being such a loving role model and for teaching us that faith in God and love for family are the most precious gifts that one could give in this life. Love you forever.