Estelle Ann Pedace

Estelle Ann Pedace passed away at Hillview Heath Care Center on October 28th, 2020 at the age of 88. She was born on May 10, 1932 in Norwich, Connecticut, to Edmund Olsson and Doris (Adams) Olsson.

Estelle grew up on the outskirts of Norwich, Connecticut with her parents and her younger sister, Nancy. She came from a loving yet not entirely stable household where she learned to fend for herself and her sister while making the best of several different living situations. As a young lady, she took employment with the Telephone Company as an operator who would assist callers with connecting calls and hand patching the connection on a big swithboard.

After marrying John Pedace in 1951, she spent the next 69 years dedicated to her husband and family. Due to her husband’s job, Estelle needed to relocate her family to 8 different homes, and she approached each move with a determined efficiency that allowed her to set up her new abodes quickly so that there was as little disturbance to her family’s normal routine as possible. Her husband was able to start his new duties and their three children could begin their terms at their new schools knowing they could return to a house filled with familiar trappings. This was a great comfort to all.

To that end, Estelle took her duties as a stay-at-home mom very seriously. She ran a tight ship, keeping things tidy and spotless, packing lunches and preparing a hot supper every night. But more importantly, she provided a stable foundation for her children when her husband had to be away for extended periods of time for business.

Estelle became an outstanding knitter and crocheter, producing impressive amounts of sweaters, scarves, hats, mittens and baby blankets for family and friends. She also had her favorite recipes which became family classics including her homemade spaghetti sauce, pasta fagioli (fazool), antipasto salads and, of course, her unbelievable baked macaroni and cheese topped with buttered bread crumbs.

After living in rented apartments for the first 10 years of her married life, Estelle moved her family into their brand new home in Smithtown, Long Island in the summer of 1961. She immediately outfitted it with the newest furniture which included a high fidelity stereo console, complete with AM and FM radio as well as a turntable for records. From that moment on her homes were filled with music of all types - Jazz, Blues, Big Band, Broadway and even songs from an up and coming band called The Beatles. Indeed, her favorite song of all time was Hey Jude.

Estelle always kept track of birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, etc. for all family and friends and provide plenty of reminders when those occasions were nearing so none would be forgotten.

Estelle adored her grandchildren and they adored her. She particularly shined during pool parties and sleepovers at the house on Valley Road, and during family vacations to Naples, FL, where the featured events were trips to the beach with grandma.

Always an animal lover, Estelle was fond of visits from her grand dogs and was notorious for sneaking too many treats to them. She also looked forward to visits from the therapy dogs that would visit Hillview Health Care Center where she spent her final years.

The one thing that set Estelle apart from everybody else was her boundless generosity. She saw to it that regular donations were made to her favorite non-profits including the La Crosse Relay for Life, Coulee Council on Addictions, the Big Blue Dragon Boat Race and several local college scholarship funds to name a few. But her most endearing quality was her ability to identify individuals who were down on their luck and provide them with what they needed, whether it be a new coat, a pair of shoes or even a few dollars in their pockets. She did this dozens of times that her family knows of, and most likely many more times than they are aware.

In her final few years, her favorite activity was to go to Schmidty’s Restaurant where everybody treated her like a queen. The wait staff even knew what she always ate and when they put the order in to the kitchen it was simply marked “Estelle”. What was delivered to the table was a turkey club sandwich on white bread - not toasted, thank you. And it was always followed by a scoop of vanilla ice cream with strawberries on top. Always.

Thanks to Estelle’s loyal friends who took her to lunch and social events as long as possible, and would then visit her after she took residence at Hillview.

Estelle is now on her journey to Heaven along side John, her husband of 69 years, who passed away only 8 days before she did. And if he is behind the wheel on the way to their eternal reward, you’d better hope that his hearing aid is turned off because we can all rest assured Estelle is telling him exactly how to drive.

Estelle is survived by her sister Nancy (Bill) Missino of Norwich, CT, three children; Nancy (John) Birkla of Louisville, KY, John (Terri) Pedace and Bill (Diane) Pedace of La Crosse, WI as well as 6 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.

A funeral Mass will be held at Mary Mother of the Church Catholic Parish for both Estelle and John on November 7th at 11am for all those wishing to attend. You are asked to respect the health of others and refrain from coming if you have any cold or flu symptoms or if you have been in contact with anybody who has tested positive for the Corona virus in 14 days preceding the mass. Mask and social distancing protocols will be in effect inside the church. The Mass may also be viewed live streamed at www.mmoclacrosse.org . A private interment ceremony of Estelle and John’s ashes will take place at the Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse following the Mass.

Memorials may be given in their names to the Mary Mother of the Church (MMOC) Building Fund, 2006 Weston Av, La Crosse, WI, or to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 4500 Montgomery Av, Site 1100 N, Bethesda, MD, 20814.