Obituary of Nelle T. Cala

Nelle T. Cala died Friday, April 17, 2020. Nelle was born November 12, 1925, in Gerry, New York at the family farm. She was the eighth daughter, and ninth child of Carmello and Maria Liuzzo Triscari. The family moved to Jamestown and she attended Jamestown Public Schools until ending her studies to join the wartime workforce. She was part of the Greatest Generation. She married Philip L. Cala on June 27, 1946. She raised five children: Peter M. Cala (Anita), Davis, CA, Mary Jo Casasanta (Mark), her nurse and caregiver in her final weeks, Fortuna, CA, Philip A. Cala (Nancy), Jamestown, Martin Cala (Catherine), Youngstown, OH, and Elena Cala Buscarino, Buffalo, NY. She was chiefly a homemaker, event manager, moral guide and teacher of the virtues that she encouraged her small tribe to take out into the world. As with so many of the mothers of her generation, her commitment to instill a sense of civic duty extended beyond her household to the entire neighborhood and to all of her children's friends whom she welcomed to her home and table. She had many artistic pursuits including painting, ceramics and craft work. She re-entered the workforce as her children gained independence and worked for Sears Roebuck in Jamestown, and at the Chautauqua Mall, as a seamstress and, later, a bookkeeper in the automotive department. In retirement, Nelle and Phil were able to travel, usually to visit their far-flung family, which by then included 15 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. In addition to her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews, she is survived by her caregiver and friend Sharon (Ray) McKotch. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband in 2005. She was also predeceased by her siblings: Nancy (Ralph) Heath, Sam (Lorraine) Triscari, Betty (Phil) Fusco, Sara (Jerry) Gulino, Selma (Harold) Sandbloom, Jaye (Nicholas) LaBarbera, Marian (Albert) Cala, Louise (William) Jowett. Memorials may be made to the Chautauqua County Blind Association or the James Prendergast Library. The family will announce a memorial service and celebration of Nelle's life at a later date.