Grace M. DeStadio, 94, died on Thursday at Hillview Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center. She was born in Altoona to Michele and Rafaella (Fanella) Reale. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph DeStadio, Sr., and her sister Mary (Joseph) Mignogna.

She is survived by her daughter, Diana (John) Dell, and her son, Joseph (Nancy) DeStadio, Jr. Also surviving are her two granddaughters, Danielle (Daniel) Potter of Darnestown, MD, and Kristen Dell of New York City, NY; her two great-grandsons, Benjamin and Andrew Potter; as well as her step- grandchildren, Amy Gavin, Sara Venczel, and Kyle Gavin. Grace is also survived by her sister, Lena Gentile of Blue Island, IL; a special nephew, Nick; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Grace was a great lady and we will miss her dearly. She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary at the Buccinese Club where she enjoyed playing bocce every week. She was a fabulous cook and hosted big Sunday dinners at her house after mass. We've tried (unsuccessfully) to replicate her cooking, including her meatballs and spaghetti, her pizzelles, and her pineapple cookies. Her granddaughters remember fondly their childhood sleepovers, homemade pizza (with soft crust, of course), and bingo. Despite being Italian, she could dance the polka like nobody's business when she was younger. In her later years, she enjoyed rocking on the front porch at her daughter's house and heckling her son-in-law, John.

Grace contracted COVID-19 and was admitted to the Altoona Hospital. When she died, she was in isolation and we could not visit her to say goodbye. While we are grateful for the care she received, no one should die alone, in the way that she did.

Mum-Mum Grace, we miss you and we love you, and we are sorry we couldn't be with you to say goodbye.

Friends will be received at the 10 am funeral mass on Monday, February 22, 2021, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. Please maintain social distance and always wear a mask while in the church. Committal will be at Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 806 11 th St., Altoona, PA, 16602. Donations may also be made to the Central Pennsylvania Humane Society, 1837 E. Pleasant Valley Blvd., Altoona, PA, 16602.

Online condolences may be made at www.santellafuneralhome.com.

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