Elisabetta Ippolito went to be with her Lord on March 7, 2026, after 89 years of a full life.

Elisabetta Imperia Cesarina (Baldi) Ippolito was born on May 10, 1936, in Florence, Italy, to Umberto and Anita Baldi. She attended the University of Florence, where she studied Literature. She then worked as a fashion model in Florence and London for a short period before her engagement.

On January 23, 1960, Elisabetta married Elio J. Ippolito in a small chapel in the Pitti Palace in Florence, Italy. Once married they lived in Bologna and then moved to upstate New York. Fate brought them together. During World War II, their parents maintained a long-distance correspondence. Years later, that exchange led to their children’s meeting when Elio, then a student at the University of Bologna, visited his parents’ chance acquaintance in Florence. They shared 59 years of marriage. Together they raised five daughters while living in Schenectady, Irvington, Tarrytown, Sleepy Hollow, and Ossining, New York. Her husband built his family medicine practice and devoted his life to the community with her support.

Elisabetta loved children, nature, and animals, and she appreciated the small details of daily life. A devout Catholic, she lived as a faithful wife and a devoted daughter, mother, and grandmother. As a single child who grew up during WW II, she had always hoped to have a large family of her own.

Elisabetta was an accomplished cook, interior decorator, and fashion enthusiast. Her style was simple and elegant, classic with a flare. She welcomed friends and family into her home and enjoyed planning gatherings—whether cooking for a small group, setting the table for family and friends, or hosting holiday celebrations. Her home included many paintings of Tuscany painted by her father. She cared deeply for her parents and cared for them until their passing.

Later in life, with the help of her husband Elio, Elisabetta opened a gift shop. It was an experience of created stories from items she discovered at estate sales, antique shops, and the New York Gift Show. Her family had always been her first priority. The shop reflected her tribute and appreciation for well-made and one-of-a-kind unusual pieces. Through her work, she discovered her own artistic talent and began painting furniture, wooden pieces, and small works of art, which she shared with family, friends, and strangers.

Elisabetta also traveled throughout Europe with her husband, visiting Italy, London, Athens, Luxembourg, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, and Budapest. She cherished time with her twelve grandchildren and often traveled to visit them.

Elisabetta was preceded in death by her parents, Anita and Umberto, and her husband, Elio. She is survived by her daughters: Stefania (Ioannis) Sakiotis, Alessandra (James) Obregon, Cristina (Edward) Stainkamp, Lisa Smith, and Daniela (David) Thomas; and by her twelve grandchildren: Evangelos and Elisabetta Sakiotis (Luxembourg), Olivia, Grayson, and Cameron Obregon (Florida), Nicholas, Daniel, and Julia Stainkamp (New York), Sofia and Tessa Smith (New York), and Christian and Emma Thomas (Nebraska).

Vigil Service is Sunday, March 15 from 4:00-6:00pm at Coffey Funeral home in Tarrytown. 

The family will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial at Church of the Transfiguration in Tarrytown, N.Y.  on March 16th, 2026, 

at 1030 am with burial following at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery,

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley NY (https://wish.org/hudson) in Elisabetta’s memory, reflecting her lifelong love of children.