Margaret L. “Margie” Di Dio, 95, of Riverside Place, went home to be with Jesus, in the presence of her loving family, on Monday afternoon (Aug. 18, 2025) at St. James Hospital in Hornell.
Born in Hornell on Jan. 11, 1930 she was a daughter of the late Giacomo “Jimmy” & Helena (Solo) Messina. Besides her parents, she was also predeceased by her granddaughter, Autumn Di Dio and great-grandson three sisters, infant Pauline Messina, Mary (William) Riker, Theresa (Charles)Van Volkenburg and one brother, Anthony “Tony” (Loretta) Messina; also, her two very dear friends, Leona Dessena an Edna “Fiacco” Tuite.
A lifelong resident of Hornell, Margie graduated from Hornell High School & was a participant in the Alumni. She was also a graduate of the International Academy of Beauty Culture in Buffalo, NY. Margie operated her own beauty salon” Marge’s Beauty Shop” for several years in Hornell before she assisted her husband, Ambrose “Andy” at Di Dio’s TV in Hornell where she served as a sale person and bookkeeper; they retired in 2003.
Margie was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and was a devout communicant of St. Ann’s Church in Hornell where she volunteered as a member of the “Cleaning Crew” and was a member of the Perpetual Adoration Chapel. Throughout the years she served as a Campfire and Blue Bird co-leader and was a member of the Women’s Auxiliary of the Carducci Lodge, Sons of Italy.
A loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother & aunt, she was always interested in what was going on in the lives of her children, grandchildren, nieces & nephews. Margie dearly loved being a homemaker and loved spending time with her family especially during the holidays. Margie was always concerned if you had something to eat, that was the Italian in her. One of her past times was watching her favorite shows; she loved the Hallmark channel “Christmas in July”, “Golden Girls”, “Everybody Loves Raymond” and ice skating during the Olympics. Margie was proud of the fact that she learned how to drive at the age of 40.
Margie will be remembered for her tremendous intellect, quick wit, humor, friendly demeanor, beautiful smile, loving nature, conversations on the phone with her loved ones & her home was always welcome to visitors. She will be dearly missed by all those who knew and loved her.
She is lovingly survived by her devoted husband of 69 years, Andy who she married at St. Ann’s Church in Hornell on Aug. 4, 1956; five children, Mary Ann Di Dio (Thomas M. Flansburg) of Cohocton, Joseph A. (Monica) Di Dio of Stafford, VA, James G. (Cindy) Di Dio of Bedford, TX, John P. Di Dio (Annette Freeland) of Hornell and Elizabeth A. “Beth” (Steven) Turner of Rochester, NY; 18 grandchildren, Nicholas (Nyki) Karns McManus, Grady McManus, Cailey (Vincent) Taylor, Ashleigh (Eric) Wintersteen, Alexander (Lauren) Di Dio, Amelia (Matthew) Adams, Addison (Emily) Di Dio, Alden Di Dio, Nina (Shane) Pryor, Andy (Andrea) Di Dio, Jason Di Dio, Candice (James) Thornberg, Connor Di Dio, Briana (Brendan) Norman, Carson, Trevor, Paul Di Dio, Kelsey (Vinny) Guida,; 25 great-grandchildren; one brother, Joseph Messina of Boston, MA; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Thank you to the staff at Venture Forthe for providing wonderful care over the past year.
Calling hours are 4-6 p.m. Wednesday (Aug. 27, 2025) at the Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home, 285 Main St., Hornell. Relatives and friends are invited to join her family at St. Ann’s Church, 35 Erie Ave., Hornell where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday (Aug. 28, 2025). Committal prayers an interment will follow at St. Ann’s Cemetery, Hornell. All the services will be live streamed and may be seen either on the homepage of www.bishopdesanto.com or on the Facebook page of Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home for 30 days beginning at 10 a.m. Thursday (Aug. 28, 2025).
In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute to St. Ann’s Church of Our Lady of the Valley Parish, 27 Erie Ave., Hornell, NY 14843. Envelopes for memorial contributions will be available at the funeral home.
The Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home is honored to assist Margie’s family with the arrangements.
Online condolences or remembrances of Margie are welcome at www.bishopdesanto.com or on the Facebook page of Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home.
