Elizabeth Joy DiGaspari, 97, of Canastota, NY, died peacefully on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at

the Oneida Healthcare Center following a brief illness.

Known to her family and friends as "Betty," she was born on November 1, 1928 to Gasper and

Lucia (Franchell) Sicilia in Canastota and was the youngest of nine children.

Elizabeth married Anthony V. DiGaspari on September 27, 1947, and they were married for 73

years. Together they raised four children—John (Sue) DiGaspari, Thomas (Karen) DiGaspari,

Deborah (Rick) Warner, and Mary (Todd) Rouse—from their longtime home on Lamb Ave. in

Canastota.

Known for her innate sense of style and signature color palette of black, white, and gray,

Elizabeth worked for a handful of years at the women's clothing outlet A&M Argentine in

Canastota. On June 4, 1979, she accomplished her lifelong dream of owning and operating her

very own women's clothing store with the opening of Marybeth's Boutique.

Fashion was not her only passion, though. An avid bowler, Elizabeth was a member of a

number of teams and leagues throughout her life. According to newspaper clippings the family

still has, she regularly bowled 600 series in sanctioned competition and set a women's record at

Canastota's Hi-Way Bowl when she rolled a 618 series.

Elizabeth was also an ardent golfer late into her life. Upon retirement, Elizabeth and Anthony

moved to Zephyrhills, Florida, where they spent 31 winters, allowing them to golf year-round.

Fittingly, their backyard also served as the sixth hole green of the Southport Springs Golf &

Country Club. However, it was on her hometown track that Elizabeth netted her very first

hole-in-one—on May 26, 2004, at the age of 75, on the 14th hole of Casolwood Golf Course in

Canastota.

Alongside her husband, Elizabeth was also a fervent supporter of the New York Yankees and

insisted on never missing a game. Beyond the worlds of fashion and sport, Elizabeth also loved

to travel. Her favorite destination out of the many places she visited with her husband and

family, however, was nearby Alexandria Bay, where she and Anthony would go nearly every

summer.

Along with her children, Elizabeth is survived by her eight grandchildren—Darrell Moochler,

Carol (Danny Volkman) Rader, Jennifer (Lee) Berube, Pam (Pete) Jansen, Carrie (Chad)

Hodkinson, Renee Todora, Anthony "Mick" Rouse, and Jonathan Rouse. Additionally, she is

survived by her six great-grandchildren—Abigail and Luke Jansen, Riley and Emily Hodkinson,

and Alexandria and Nico Todora. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her

parents and all eight of her siblings—brothers Carmen, Samuel, Gasper, Frank, and William

Sicilia, and sisters Mary Capparelli, Teresa Tornatore, and Chauncey Henderson.

In keeping with her wishes, no public calling hours will be held, with the family planning to hold a

private celebration of life at St. Agatha's Church in Canastota at a later date. Remains will be buried at the family plot in St. Agatha's Cemetery. To honor Elizabeth's memory, friends may

make a donation to the Greater Lenox Ambulance Service at P.O. Box 382, Canastota, NY

13032.

Arrangements under the direction of the John L. Matt Funeral Home, Chadwicks, NY.

To leave a condolence, please visit www.johnlmattfuneralhome.com.