Diva Passalacqua (1922-2023)

Diva Elizabeth (DiClemente) Passalacqua, 101, of Hershey, PA passed away surrounded by her loving family on September 3, 2023 at Country Meadows of Hershey Retirement Community.

She was born on July 23, 1922 in Hershey and was the daughter of the late Rocco Mario DiClemente and Anna Giselda Franci DiClemente of Italy.  She was the loving wife of Ugo Passalacqua of Semproniano, Italy and they celebrated 64 years of marriage in Hershey before Ugo’s passing in 2015.

Diva attended Saint Joan of Arc School, K-8 in Hershey and graduated from Hershey High School in 1940.  After graduation, she worked in the Wrapping Room of the Hershey Chocolate Corporation for over 3 years, then as a Stenographer for Selective Service in Harrisburg.  After Reduction in Force, she was employed as a secretary at the former Olmstead Air Force Base in Middletown, then, after its closure, was employed as a Supply Technician at the New Cumberland Army Depot, New Cumberland, until her retirement on January 6, 1978.  Diva was a Civil Service Employee for the Federal Government for 33 years.

Diva was a lifelong member of Saint Joan of Arc Roman Catholic Church, Hershey, and their Areba Club.  She was a remarkable woman whose life was a testament to resilience, kindness, and unwavering devotion to her Family and her Catholic Faith.  She also was an extraordinary seamstress all her adult life.

Diva is survived by her loving daughter, Rita P. (Joseph P.) Acri of Enola; granddaughters, Joanna M. (Gregory) Burrows of Dillsburg and Jeannine T. (Timothy) Czekaj of Shermans Dale; great-grandchildren, Jeffrey J. Czekaj, Joseph W. Burrows, Evan L. Czekaj, Catherine D. Czekaj, and Leo J. Burrows;  nephews, Thomas J. (Susan) DiClemente of Hummelstown, Gary J. (Lorie) DiClemente of Hershey, and nieces, Diane D. (Gregory) Brockman of Boiling Springs, Donna D. (Kevin) Campisi of Mechanicsburg, Susan D. (Robert) Louer of Middletown, Carla (Carlo) Biraschi of Rome, Italy, and Anelida Zemmarchi of Semproniano, Italy; and many great-nieces, great-nephews and extended family in Pennsylvania and in Northern Italy.

She was preceded in death by her four brothers Dominic J. (Norma) DiClemente, Dino T. DiClemente, Donald J. (Ethel) DiClemente and Divo F. (Frances) DiClemente; brother-in-law Ulvano (Alida) Passalacqua; sister-in-law Ada (Pietro) Zemmarchi; nephew, Mario Zemmarchi, and great-grandson Gian Anthony Burrows.

A visitation will be held on Monday, September 11, 2023 from 5-7PM with the Rosary at 7PM; also, on Tuesday, September 12 from 9:15AM -10:15AM in the Hoover Funeral Home, 88 Lucy Avenue, Hershey, PA  17033.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, September 12, 2023 at 11AM at Saint Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 359 West Areba Avenue, Hershey, PA 17033.  Interment will follow in the Hershey Cemetery, 351 Laudermilch Road, Hershey, PA  17033.
Memorial contributions may be made to Saint Joan of Arc School or Heart of the Parish Fund, c/o Saint Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 359 W. Areba Avenue, Hershey, PA  17033.