Obituary of Laura J Papa

ILION - Mrs. Laura J. Papa, beloved wife of Vito Papa, Jr., passed away unexpectedly on Monday morning, September 11, 2017, in the privacy and comfort of her home. She was 70 years old.

Born on November 14, 1946, Laura was the daughter of the late Gilbert J. and Martha M. (Cruikshank) Moore. She was raised in Herkimer and was a graduate from Herkimer High School. On February 22, 1969, she was wed to Mr. Vito Papa, Jr. at the Trinity Lutheran Church of Herkimer, and together the couple shared in over 48 years of a blessed union.

At one time, Mrs. Papa was employed with MDS in Herkimer, however, her first and foremost priority was always that of raising her family; tending to the every need of her husband and children.

Her hobbies included thrift shopping and she loved the casino; especially when trying her hand at a round of bingo. As the times changed, she kept up with modern technology and was actively involved with Facebook and surfing the internet.

Nothing gave her more joy, however, than time spent with her family, and as the generations grew, she took great pride in being a part of her grandchildren and great-grandson’s lives.

She will be sorely missed by her husband, Vito; her daughters, Lisa Holts and husband, Merrill of Ilion, Rachel Papa and Nelson VanAvery, and Rebecca Slawson and Walter Lein, all of Frankfort; her grandchildren, Kari Holtz, Steven J. Neale and Gabriel Slawson; and her great-grandson, Travis Wiegand. She also leaves her brother and sister-in-law, Darrel and Elaine Moore of Herkimer; her sister-in-law, Jean Papa; her aunt, Janet Cole; and several nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents, Laura was predeceased by her grandson, Mark Holtz; and her brother, Private Ronald Moore, who was killed in action during Vietnam.

Friends and relatives are invited to attend visitation, which will take place on Thursday, September 14, 2017, from 5:00PM – 7:00PM at the Enea & Ciaccia Family Funeral Home, 4309 Acme Road, Town of Frankfort, Ilion, NY (315) 894-8000. Laura’s funeral service and Celebration of Life will commence on Friday morning, September 15, 2017, at 11:00AM at the funeral home. Procession will follow to Oak Hill Cemetery in Herkimer, where her earthly remains will be laid to rest.

For those wishing to do so, please consider memorial contributions in Laura’s memory to World Vision by visiting worldvision.org. Envelopes will also be available at the funeral home.

Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of Harry and Kevin Enea and Martin L. Ciaccia, Funeral Directors. Online notes of sympathy may be left at www.eneafamily.com.