Piluso

Carmela “Nunni” Piluso, 91, of Kittanning, passed away at her home on Wednesday, July 19, 2023.

She was born on Nov. 2, 1931, in Calabria, Italy, the daughter of Dominic and Tomasina (Runco) Pugliano.

Carmela was a resilient soul, having lived through the Great Depression and World War II. The eldest of six children, she was removed from grade school to assist in caring for her siblings who saw her as a second mother. In 1956, she and her brother, Ralph, were given the opportunity by their grandparents to come to America. She departed Italy on July 17, 1956, on the Andrea Doria. Tragically, the ill-fated ship was hit by the MS Stockholm on the evening of July 25, 1956, and sank. Carmela and her brother were saved but lost all of their possessions to the sea. At her passing, she was one of few remaining survivors.

Upon her arrival in Pittsburgh, she was introduced to her future husband, Frank Piluso, and they married on Feb. 16, 1957. Settling in Kittanning, they raised five children through faith and perseverance. Carmela was a tremendous cook who made everything from scratch. Her sauce was unbeatable and homemade noodles, gnocchi and ravioli were her children’s and their friends’ favorite meals. Her door was always open to children’s friends and, really, anyone looking for an authentic Italian meal. She was an avid gardener who enjoyed spending hours weeding and caring for her vegetables. She did everything with selfless abandon and life-giving energy. She was fiercely loyal to her family. She was our compass.

Carmela was a devout Catholic who prayed fervently and said her rosary daily, always praying for favor and protection over her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a member of St. Mary’s Our Lady of Guadalupe church for over 65 years. EWTN was her favorite channel, and she would watch the Mass every day, if not twice a day. She had a strong devotion to St. Francis and St. Therese of Lisieux.

Carmela was the epitome of a matriarch. She leaves behind her five children tremendously blessed to have had her as their mother, Josie (David) Dodd, Joanna (Scott) Coughenour, Angela (Mark) McCoy, Gaetano “Guy” Piluso and Susanna (Todd) Streightif. She is also survived by grandchildren who adore her, Keira (Chris Forest) Dodd, Tasha Dodd, Jacob (Kristy) Dodd, Caleb (Alyssa) Dodd, Sarah (Mason Radford) Dodd, Alex (Kalyn) Corrie, Brent (Olya) Coughenour, Andrew (Medini) McCoy, Daniel McCoy, Gabriel Piluso, Nathan Piluso, Sabrina (Kendrix) Hemenway, Brianna (Brian) Boylan, Brandi (Zachary) Burns and Zackary Streightif. Carmela adored all of her 14-plus great-grandchildren, Elle and Lucy Heller; Ariana, Adalia and Asher Bowser; Miles, Preston and Emmett Dodd; Simon and Jude Dodd; Tomasina Hemenway; Bryson and Easton Boylan; and Ezra and Baby Burns. We will forever miss her, but, as she always said, “We be OK.” In addition to her immediate family, she is survived by siblings Joseph (Maria) Pugliano, Rosetta (Pasquale) Bruni and Angelo (Rose) Pugliano; and many nieces and nephews.

Carmela was preceded in death by her husband, Frank; her parents; and her brothers, Ralph and Giacomo Pugliano.

PILUSO — Visitation for Carmela “Nunni” Piluso, who died Wednesday, July 19, 2023, will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at BAUER FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES, 515 N. McKean St., Kittanning. Rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m.

A funeral Mass will be held 10 a.m. Monday at St. Mary’s Our Lady of Guadalupe, 101 West High St., Kittanning, with the Rev. Ronald J. Maquinana as celebrant.

Interment will be in Lawn Haven Burial Estates, Worthington, Pa.

Carmela’s life can be summed up through Matthew 25:23, “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’”

For those unable to attend services or anyone wishing to send an online condolence to Carmela’s family, please visit www.bauerfuneral.com.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.