Carmen Ida Giarratana

Obituary of Carmen Giarratana Mrs. Carmen Ida Giarratana died peacefully at her home in Mount Dora, Florida, surrounded by her loving family, on June 5, 2016. Carmen was 88 years old. Carmen is survived by daughter Tanina (husband, Richard) Singeltary, of Leesburg, Florida and sons Harry (wife, Sharon) Giarratana of Kennesaw, Georgia, Anthony (wife, Lisa) Giarratana of Franklin, Tennessee, and Charles (wife, Connie) Giarratana of Englewood, Colorado. She leaves behind three granddaughters and five grandsons, George (wife, Cara) and Charles Singeltary (Florida), Sarah Giarratana (Georgia), Sam and Kate Giarratana (Tennessee), and David, Ellen and Tom Giarratana (Colorado). She was also blessed with two great grandsons, George Henry and Jack Warren Singeltary (Florida). She was preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, Ettore "Harry" Giarratana. She is survived by her brother, Anthony D'Ambrosio, Sr. of Mount Kisco, New York, and her sister, Theresa Toscano of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and ten nieces and nephews. Carmen was born in Manhattan, in New York City, New York to Antonio and Ida D'Ambrosio. She met her husband, Harry, while a student at the Art Student's League of New York in New York City. The two were married in 1949 and, for five years, lived in Saddle River Township, New Jersey, where Tanina and Harry were born. In 1954 they moved to Clearwater, Florida where Tony and Charles were born. After raising her children, Carmen entered the workforce, working first as a Loan Officer in Fortune Federal's commercial real estate department in Clearwater, Florida, eventually becoming an Assistant Vice President. Carmen studied the piano as a child and became an accomplished classical pianist. She was also a gifted painter and a passionate gardener. She loved to read and was interested in current events and politics. She was a member of St. James Episcopal Church. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, June 8, 2016 at St. James Episcopal Church, 204 Lee Street, Leesburg, Florida. Friends are invited to attend to celebrate Carmen's life. The family would like to thank Hospice and, especially, Nurses Next Door, for their loving care and kindness during our mother's final days. Memorial donations may be made to Mount Dora Christian Academy at www.mdcacademy.org.