Saratoga Springs - Irene A. (Scarano) Elia passed away at the Wesley Health Care Center on Monday, (Feb. 18, 2008). She was 95.

Born on March 18, 1912 on the corner of Mott and Hester Street in Manhattan’s “Little Italy”, she moved to Saratoga Springs with her family at the age of three and lived with her parents, Philomena and Antonio Scarano at 112 West Circular Street.

Irene worked as a seamstress for the Van Raalte Company until she was 21 and then married Frank Elia of Brooklyn, NY. At the onset of World War II, Frank was called to the Brooklyn Navy Yard where he worked as a ship fitter. When the war ended, they returned to Saratoga Springs and Irene opened a dry cleaning and tailoring shop, which she operated for many years.

In her later years, she worked at home as a seamstress. Irene was a member of St. Clement’s Church and involved with the church choir and was very devoted to her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She was an avid reader and loved animals. She enjoyed socializing with her customers, many of whom were loyal to her for decades.

In addition to her parents, she is predeceased by her husband, Frank P. Elia, who died March 18, 1951.  

Survivors include her son, Lewis Elia and his wife Linda of Niskayuna, NY; three grandsons, Francis Elia and his wife Heather of Tulley, NY, Peter Elia and his wife Laura of Greece, NY and Kevin Sweet and his wife Karen of Avon, OH; three great-grandchildren, Juliana Elia, Brendan Sweet & Lauren Sweet and two nephews, Anthony Scarano and Jerry Scarano and his wife, Jennifer, all of Saratoga Springs.  

Relatives and friends called Wednesday (Feb. 20, 2008) at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway (584-5373).

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Thursday in Our Lady’s Chapel at St. Clement’s Church, 231 Lake Ave. Burial followed in the family plot at St. Peter’s Cemetery, West Ave.

Memorials may be made in her name to St. Clement’s Church, 231 Lake Ave., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 or to the Rev. John C. Murphy, OFM Scholarship Fund at Siena College, Loudonville, NY 12211-1462.

Online remembrances may be made to www.burkefuneralhome.com.