Elisa Costantini

Elisa Costantini was born in 1938 in Poggio Valle, in the Province of Teramo, Italy. She was the 2nd daughter of the late Alfredo Fantozzi and Maria Di Paolo.

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She is preceded in death by her Siblings, Dorina, Vincenzo, and Guiseppe “Joe”, all of Italy. She is also preceded by her Husband, Franceso “Frank” (2013), and her Daughter, Agnes (1981).

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At the age of twenty-three, she immigrated to the United States with her husband, Francesco, and daughter, Nadia. They settled in Overbrook Park, Philadelphia, and raised their family there until moving to Newtown Square, Delaware County, where she lived for almost 50 years.

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In 1981, after the death of her daughter, Agnes, Elisa found herself on the doorstep of the Don Guanella Community in Springfield, PA, while bringing a donation from the sympathy cards of her daughter’s funeral. The next day, she returned and asked for a job. Since then, and until March 19th of this year, before she fell ill, she served the residents of Don Guanella and, later, those of Divine Providence Village in Springfield, PA, as a House Mother, Cook, and Laundry Aid. Dedicating more than half her life to those with Special Needs and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

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In 2013, after the death of her husband, Francesco, Elisa once again lifted herself from near depression by starting a new chapter in life, becoming an author. The daughter of farmers, she learned to cook at a very young age as an apprentice to a local chef, her Aunt Ida, using simple, fresh ingredients to create wonderful food for those closest to her. At her children’s request to organize and record all her treasured recipes, Elisa went to work, using kitchen measuring tools for the first time to get the recipes just right. At the suggestion of some friends of her son, she started a Kickstarter Campaign to fund printing copies of her simple recipes for family and friends.

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Her Campaign attracted more attention than ever imagined, and soon she was printing her first run of 5,000 books in 2016. As news spread, more books were printed. What started as therapy became a mission to give back to the community.  She began donating proceeds from her book to help local charities and schools. News of this simple Italian woman in Delaware County grew across the country and even the world, as she began making appearances on QVC and local television programs. She was also invited to Tuscany to offer cooking lessons to hotel guests staying at local resorts.

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Soon, she was appearing on the Today show and recurring guest spots on Rachael Ray. Elisa had signed with Sterling Publishers, a division of Barnes and Noble. Sterling released a hardback edition of her first book, Italian Moms Spreading Their Art To Every Table, in October 2017, and her second book, Italian Moms – Something Old Something New, in April 2018. To date, more than 150,000 copies of her books have been sold.

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In May 2017, Elisa received an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia, for her lifetime achievements, service to those with special needs, and her work with charities and as a beacon of inspiration, that those who come from very little can make big impacts and achieve great things.

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In 2018, Elisa made a cameo appearance in The Irishman, a film directed and produced by Martin Scorsese, as a Mafia Grand Dame. Although her appearance was short, Elisa mostly enjoyed being in the same room with one of her favorite actors, Ray Romano. Unable to sleep at night, she would watch reruns of Everyone Loves Raymond. Maybe because she and Marie had a lot in common!

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Even with this blimp of fame, Elisa enjoyed the simple things: cooking, spending time with her family, trips to Italy to visit family and old friends, playing cards with her girlfriends, and attending events that brought the Italian Community together. She had a smile that would light up any room, and everyone who met her fell in love with her on the spot.

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She is survived by her Daughter, Nadia Erb (Robert), and her son, Frank (Tina), Her Grandchildren, Robert Erb Jr. (Susanne), Sean Erb (Julie), Amanda Erb (Timothy), Sebastian Costantini, and Lily Costantini. Her Great-Grandchildren, Corey, Hudson, Archie, Chase, and Shay. Her brothers, Nicola (Maria) of Broomall, PA, and Eugenio “Nino” (Elvira) of Bellante Stazione, Italy. Her sisters-in-law, Yolanda “Iole”, Giuseppina, Concetta, and Franca, all of the Province of Teramo, Italy.

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And Many Loving Cousins, Nieces and Nephews.

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She will be missed by her family, friends, and the Divine Providence Community, which she also called her family.

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The Family requests that, if you plan to attend the services for Elisa, you wear shades of blue, her favorite colors. Women are also encouraged to wear scarves, a favorite accessory of hers. Even in 90-degree weather, you could find her sporting one.

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Donations in her memory to Divine Providence Village, 686 Old Marple Rd, Springfield, PA 19064, (610) 328-7730, can be made via this link: https://dgdpcommunities.org/donate-to-dgdp-communities, and are welcomed by the family.

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Visitation will be held at Danjolell Memorial Home, 2811 West Chester Pike, Broomall, PA 19008, on Friday, April 10th, from 5pm until 8 pm.

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Visitation will also be held at St. Anastasia   Church, 3301 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square, PA 19073, on Saturday, April 11th, from 9:30am until 10:45am, followed by mass at 11am. Interment at SS Peter and Paul Cemetery to follow.

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