Napa, CA-Vera L. Lisi, 99 years old, formerly of Hornell, died on December 5 following a long illness.
Born in England on January 4, 1915, she was the daughter of William & Ethel (Watson) Littlefair.
At the age of 15, Vera’s family left England and eventually settled in Buffalo, NY where she resided for 30 years. Vera graduated from high school and later attended cosmetology school. While living in Amherst, she owned & operated a hair salon for many years.
She married Arnold Febrey who died in 1957. She was the mother of three daughters, Jane (David) Leue, Anne Febrey and Judi DeSantis. In 1960, she married Anthony “Tony” Lisi and they lived in Hornell, NY for over 30 years.
For several years Vera was a cosmetician at Key Drug and later worked as a real estate agent for Real, Inc. While living in Hornell, she served on the Board of Directors of the Hornell Public Library and was a member of the Hornell Fortnightly. Vera was a former member of Christ Episcopal Church and had also attended St. Ann’s Church.
Her husband, Tony, died in 1993. In 2000, Vera moved to Napa, California with her granddaughter, Beth (Brian) Dunn. She lived with them and her great-granddaughter, Erin, until June 2013. During that time, she enjoyed spending time with her family and attending many of Erin’s school and extracurricular activities.
Vera, known as “Nana” to many people throughout her life, was a very loving and caring person who enjoyed doing for others. She had a strong work ethic and always wanted to keep busy, whether it be working outside her home or taking care of her family, whom she loved very much. She enjoyed cooking and baking for her family and friends. She was an avid reader and enjoyed working on crossword puzzles and knitting. Nana was loved by many, including her granddaughter Beth, who thought of her as her second mother.
Vera was preceded in death by 2 daughters, Judi DeSantis and Jane Leue; her brother, William Littlefair; her granddaughter, Cathy Leue; and her former son-in-law, Peter DeSantis.
Among the surviving are seven grandchildren; Beth (Brian) Dunn, Debbie (Pete) Fokos, Krista Leue, Becky (Jeff) Roth, Emily (Spencer) Williams, Paul Leue and Bonnie (Tim) Brock; along with several great-grandchildren, nieces & nephews.
At Vera’s request there will be no prior calling hours. Friends are invited to attend a Memorial Service on Monday at 11:00 AM at the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY with Deacon Robert McCormick officiating. Final interment will be in St. Ann’s Cemetery.
Vera’s family request that memorial contributions in her name be made to Queen of the Valley Hospital Foundation, 1000 Trancas Street, Napa, CA 94558 (phone 707-257-4044).
To leave an online condolence or share a memory, visit www.dagonfuneralhome.com
