Eleanore Rose Mancuso Cecero

Born May 13, 1923, in Buffalo, N.Y., to Peter and Lucy Mancuso, the eldest daughter and one of five children. She was raised on the West Side, attended public schools, and graduated from Girls’ Vocational High School. In 1950, she married Dominic Cecero and relocated with him to Batavia, N.Y., where she lived for 64 years. Together, they raised two children, Diane and David. She was a longtime employee of the New York State Department of Labor where she was known as The Unemployment Lady. For years, she guided Batavians in their efforts to collect unemployment. Her fluency in Italian was welcomed by many. She was active at St. Anthony’s Parish, St. Anthony’s School, St. Mary’s School, Notre Dame High School, and St. Jerome’s Guild – spending countless hours organizing dances and breakfasts and fashion shows to raise money and friends. Not only was she a working wife and mother, she was a traditional Italian woman – canning tomatoes and baking pizza, pies, and cookies for her family and friends. Her marriage of 55 years ended upon Dominic’s death in 2005. She remained in the family home until 2014 when a fall left her with a broken hip that forced her to relocate to Pittsford. She reluctantly left Batavia but found a new home at Laurelwood Assisted Living where she charmed her new friends and lived happily for over six years. Eleanore was adored by her husband, her two children, five grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren, her siblings and in-laws, her nieces and nephews, and countless friends. She is survived by her daughter Diane Cecero (Mark Whelan) of Pittsford, son David Cecero (Margie) of Southlake, TX, grandchildren Caroline Tolbert (Isaiah) of Brighton, Stephen Whelan (Maria) of Washington, DC, Jonathan Cecero (Monica) of Chicago, IL, Michael Cecero (Melissa) of Thompson Station, TN, Lindsay Cecero of Venice, CA, brother Sam Mancuso of Williamsville, NY, seven great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and countless friends. In addition to her parents and husband, she is predeceased by her brother Stephen and sisters Mary and Josephine, her in-laws Theresa, Mary, Michael, Gloria, John, Anthony, Rose, and Joseph, Mary, Joan, Theresa, and Michael, and her niece Joanne and nephew Phillip. She died peacefully at 97 surrounded by family on December 8, 2020. The funeral is private and a memorial will be planned when it safe to do so. Memorial contributions may be made to Highlands at Pittsford Employee Appreciation Fund in memory of Eleanore Cecero. To leave a message of condolence please visit www.gilmartinfuneralhome.com. Arrangements completed by Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329-333 West Main Street, Batavia, New York 14020.