"Mema"

Fedina R. (Friona) Elia, age 74 died unexpectedly on Thursday September 16, 2010 at her home in Lewiston, NY. She was predeceased by her loving husband of 48 years, Alan R. Elia.

Mrs. Elia was born on December 23, 1935 and was the daughter of the late Phillip and Esterina Friona. She was born in Frosinone, Italy and moved to Niagara Falls at the age of 2. She graduated from Niagara Falls High School where she was an honor student and enjoyed participating in synchronized swimming and badminton.

She married her childhood sweetheart Alan in 1956 and they briefly lived in Alexandria, VA and Niagara Falls, NY before building the home in which she still occupied in Lewiston.

Mrs. Elia was an avid sports fan and was known to watch sports until the early hours of a day. She was particularly fond of college basketball and tennis, and was fortunate enough to attend many US Open Championships in New York City and even Wimbledon in England. She participated in numerous bowling leagues over the years as well. Everyone was aware of Fedina's passion for casinos and she had many great times with her husband and daughters on adventures to Atlantic City and Las Vegas.

Fedina was an active member of the Niagara Fall Country Club where she played Bridge on a regular basis, and was a long time volunteer for the Porter Cup Golf Tournament. She was also very proud to be a COW (Cards on Wednesdays), where she shared a lot of laughs and good times with many of her loyal friends. She was also a member of the Italian Son and Daughters of America, Power City Lodge and Ladies Cristoforo Colombo Society in Niagara Falls with her mother.

Alan and Fedina were proud parents of five children, Dena (Jack) Armstrong of Lewiston, NY, Donna (James) Tomkins of Grand Island, NY, Diane (Rick) Stein of Lewiston, NY, Darlene (Mike) Buenzow of Evanston, IL and Alan Elia Jr. of Lewiston, NY. She is also survived by her sixteen grandchildren, for which she cherished every single day. She watched countless hockey, football, basketball and soccer games over the years in which her grandchildren participated. Mrs. Elia is also survived by her brother, Phil Friona Jr. of Ft. Lauderdale, FL and several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her sister Mary Ann Friona.

Visitation will be held on Sunday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the M.J. COLUCCI AND SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL, 2730 MILITARY ROAD NIAGARA FALLS, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday September 20th at 10:00 a.m. in St. Peter's Church 620 Center Street Lewiston, NY with Rev. Sebastian Pierro officiating. EVERYONE PLEASE ASSEMBLE AT CHURCH. Entombment will be held in Gate of Heaven Cemetery Lewiston, NY. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Mount St. Mary's Hospital Foundation, 5300 Military Road Lewiston, NY 14092, would be appreciated by the family.