Carmela "Mela" P. (DePadre) Tedesco

It is an honor to be called to serve Mela's family during their time of loss.

Carmela P. (nee DePadre) Tedesco, affectionally known as Mela, age 97, passed away at her home in the Town of Niagara on Friday, April 6, 2018.  Mela was born on March 1, 1921 in Niagara Falls, NY to the late Luigi and Guiseppine (Bracutto) DePadre.

Mela was raised in the city of Niagara Falls and attended local schools.  She worked at  Nabisco Shredded Wheat, retiring after 35 years of service.  While working at Nabisco, Mela was well known for piercing ears for her co-workers and their children,  Mela was also an avid Jeff Gordon and New York Yankees fan.  Mela had a heart of gold, always putting others before herself and will be remembered as a bright, shining light by all that knew her.

In 1942, she married Michael J. Tedesco of St. Catharines, Ontario, where she lived shortly before settling to the Town of Niagara.  Michael preceded Mela in death in 1995 after 53 years of marriage.  

Surviving are her three daughters, Michele Smiszek, Toni Royer and Denise Tedesco all of Niagara Falls; grandchildren, Nicole (Brian) Tedesco-Goodwin of North Tonawanda, Yvette (Dave) Brown of Ft. Erie, Canada, Janelle (Randy) Harris of Niagara Falls and Ric Royer of Baltimore, MD and great-grandchildren, Michael (Jessica) Brown of Thunder Bay, Canada and Amber Harris of Niagara Falls.  Mela leaves behind many nieces, nephews and cousins; the beloved family cat, Summer and Rottweiler, Bishop, who loved, watched over and protected her every minute of the day. Mela was preceded in death by her brothers and sisters, Angeline (Ralph) Dinino, Pat (Lucy) DePadre, Theresa (Nick) D’Augostino, Mary (Lou) Soloday, Alexander (Delores) DePadre, Genevieve (Edward) Bator and James (Mary) DePadre, including several nieces, nephews and cousins. 

Mela’s family would like to thank her niece Beverly Dinino-Nest for the constant care and devotion that was given over the last couple years as well as the full-time care from her daughter, Toni Royer.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 12th from 3-7 p.m. in the Chapel of OTTO REDANZ FUNERAL HOME, 2215 MILITARY ROAD, NIAGARA FALLS, NY, where a funeral service will follow visitation at 7:00 p.m. with Rev. Father Stewart Lindsay, O.S.F.S. officiating.  In lieu of flowers, memorial offerings may be made to Niagara Hospice, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the SPCA Niagara.

Arrangements are under the direction of Michael R. Goodlander of Otto Redanz Funeral Home.  Please visit www.goodlandercares.com to leave a message for the family.

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