Mafalda (LaCarrubba) Tornello

On January 10, 2025 Mafalda Tornello, a lifelong North Tarrytown/Sleepy Hollow resident entered her eternal rest. Born May 21,1928 to Emanuel and Mildred (Zingaro) LaCarrubba, she attended North Tarrytown schools and graduated in 1946 with a proficiency in stenography. This award was instrumental in her pursuit of a career in business. Prior to her retirement in 1993, she was employed at the John Paulding School where she first served as secretary to Principal James C. Mitchener and then as secretary to Director of Pupil Personnel Services, Randy Kraft.

In June 1949 Mafalda married her high school sweetheart, John Richard Tornello, Sr. Together they raised their four beloved children: John R., Jr. (“Jack”) of Sleepy Hollow, Robert (Lisa) of Teaneck, NJ, Mark (“Torque”) of Sleepy Hollow, and Karen (Andrew) Noyes of Chapel Hill, NC. They were blessed with two loving grandchildren: John J. (Jessica) Tornello of Hopewell Junction, NY, and Tara Nicole Tornello (Jesse Vadala) of Albany, NY as well as two great grandchildren: John J., Jr. and Makenley Grace Tornello.

Mafalda was active in the North Tarrytown High School Alumni Association since its inception in 1974. She became Chairperson in 1990 and President thereafter. She was also involved with various community committees and events. She had served as Special Events Project Chairperson and Recording Secretary and in 2003, she was named as an honoree of The Columbus Day Parade. She often commented on how thankful she was to have spent her lifetime in North Tarrytown/Sleepy Hollow. She cherished its special places and the comfortable friendliness of its people.

Mafalda always enjoyed times with family and friends at her lake house in Pennsylvania where they spent days swimming, boating, playing games and relaxing. The wooded area and lack of street lights afforded glorious starlit nights for fireside chats and toasting marshmallows.

Mafalda was predeceased by her loving parents, her beloved husband, and her siblings John E. LaCarrubba, Theresa Andres and Dominick LaCarrubba. She leaves behind many kind and caring nieces and nephews, beloved family and dear friends with whom she spent many memorable times.

Viewing will be held at Coffey Funeral Home on Tuesday January 14 from 4PM to 8PM.

Her Funeral Mass will be on Wednesday at 10:00 at St. John Paull, II at Immaculate Conception Church with interment to follow at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery.

Donations may be made to Rosary Hill, 600 Linda Ave., Hawthorne, NY 10532 www.rosaryhillhome.org; St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital www.stjude.org; Sleepy Hollow Fire Dept. or a favorite charity of your choice.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mafalda (LaCarrubba) Tornello, please visit our floral store.