Emily Antoinette DeBiasi

Emily DeBiasi, 95, of Annapolis, MD (formerly of Centreville, VA) passed from this life peacefully on May 23, 2024, surrounded by her family. Emily lived a full and adventurous life, was a trailblazer for her era and an unflagging optimist regardless of circumstance. She was a dedicated and giving wife, mother and grandmother, taking true delight in the achievements of others, always advocating for and putting others first. She was known for her insistence on always putting forth 100% effort, doing one’s best, having self-confidence in one’s abilities, and always seeing the best in everyone, regardless of the situation.  Emily was born in Newark, New Jersey on September 12^th, 1928, as the first child of Italian immigrants; her mother completed their rocky sea voyage while pregnant with Emily.    Although Emily entered grade school speaking only Italian, her quick mind and work ethic resulted in graduation at the top of  her High School class.   She earned her degree in Accounting from the City College of New York and  was soon employed on Wall Street, often as the only woman in her various Manhattan offices, one of which was located in the Empire State Building.   Once called into the boss’ office, she feared scolding for a possible accounting error, but her error was only forgetting to wear the required hat and gloves while visiting a client, as was the requirement for women of her day, regardless of their math skills. She decided to quit that job and find a better one! During these years she undertook many adventures with her girlfriends in her trusty Chevrolet “Ginger” including trips to the beach, skiing and  golfing, including Vermont, Florida, California, Mexico and Italy.  She met her husband of 58 years, Casto, when destiny placed them in the same golf  foursome after work, soon followed by dancing and their wedding in 1961.  They moved to Northern Virginia in 1966, and she gave up the adventures of youth and her accounting career to fully dedicate herself to raising her two children Roberta and James.  She later pursued a second career as a realtor, and was recognized in the Million Dollar Club for Century 21 and Long and Foster, maintaining lifelong loyal friendships with her co-workers.  She was a legendary cook, creating multiple courses for dinner every night, or to welcome family home from travel at any hour of the day or night, finding any occasion an excuse to celebrate.  She whipped up homemade pasta sauce with ease, even on a propane camp stove during family cross-country camping trips in the Volkswagen pop-up van.  She baked and mailed  birthday cakes nationally and internationally to her family, to make sure they always felt special on their day.   She was unfailingly curious  throughout her life, and an avid newspaper reader, sharing her excitement by clipping and distributing articles of special interest to her whole family.  Whether as a student, at work, a mother, or in the kitchen, she was fiercely determined, simply never taking “no” for an answer regardless of the opposition or odds encountered. Her final four years residing with her daughter and grandchildren were filled with joy, including many family celebrations, remarking  on the beauty of birds, nature and the world every day, playing games, sharing memories, eating unlimited amounts of ice cream, and taking many adventures together, including a visit to the college dorm.   She was a woman of deep and sincere faith, a longtime parishioner at St Timothy, and more recently, St. Agnes Catholic Church.  She is survived by her son James DeBiasi of Lititz, PA and  daughter Roberta DeBiasi of Annapolis, MD,  5 grandchildren (Lia and  Lily Cucuzzella;  Mary Elizabeth, Teresa and James Michael DeBiasi),  brother Joseph DiPaolo of Tuckahoe, NY, sister Antoinette Cavarra of Littleton, CO, and  numerous nieces, nephews and  extended  family in NY, NJ, PA, CO, and CT.  She was preceded in death by her husband Casto, and her parents Angelo and Teresa DiPaolo.  A mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 106 S. Duke St., Shepherdstown, WV on May 29 at  11:00 AM with Reverend Father T. Mathew Rowgh officiating. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery, Shepherdstown. Family and friends will be received at the church one hour prior. Online condolences can be made at www.rsthvn.com