Obituary of Giselda A. Rader

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Giselda A. Rader, age 104 of Erie, passed away on Monday July 3, 2017 at St. Mary’s At Asbury Ridge. She was born in Veneto, Italy, on September 11, 1912, to the late Vittoria and Giovanni Dallacqua.

Having settled in Bethlehem, PA, she married Joseph Rader and relocated to Erie.  She retired from Bliley Electric to be with her husband upon his retirement.  At St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, she was known as the “hat lady” and in the Millcreek Lakewood area she could be seen walking (often with Shih Tsu Mischa) daily, five miles for over twenty years.

Giselda was proud of family and home where she enjoyed cooking, knitting, crossword puzzles, reading and playing any type of game, most especially Trivial Pursuit and Skip Bo.  Her infamous lemon meringue pie and homemade gnocchi were enjoyed by all.  As a warning, never speak negatively about her Pittsburgh Pirates or Steelers.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph in 1985; siblings, Daniel Dallacqua. Marie Thurtzi and Oscar Dallacqua.

She is survived by her daughter, Cynthia Rader (Juan Gomes) and by granddaughters, Michele Marie Mellott (Christopher McDonald) of Titusville and Diane Jo Crispino (Jerry) of Carlisle, PA.  She is further survived by great-grandchildren, Abby and Adam Mellott and Jerry, Ridge and Skylar Crispino.

The family would like to extend their deepest appreciation to the staff in Neighborhood E at St. Mary’s and the extraordinary compassion and care for Nana by Elley Myers.

A graveside service will be held at the Mausoleum in Gate of Heaven Cemetery on Monday July 10, 2017 at 11:00 AM.  Arrangements are under the care of the Dusckas-Martin Funeral Home & Crematory Inc. 4216 Sterrettania Rd.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul’s United Church of Christ 1024 Peach St. Erie, PA 16501 or the Alzheimer’s Association 1600 Peninsula Dr. Suite 15 Erie, PA 16505