Ersilia (Solimeno) Schiano

Ersilia (Solimeno) Schiano

Ersilia (Solimeno) Schiano, age 85, of Carlisle, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 12, 2023.  Ersilia was born on Tuesday, September 14, 1937, in Naples, Italy to the late Rocco Solimeno and Anna (Longardi) Solimeno.  Ersilia was the widow of Vincent Schiano, whom she married on May 16, 1957, and who died on January 28, 2010.  In addition to her parents and husband, Ersilia is preceded in death by her son, Louis Schiano; her grandson, Louis Schiano; her two brothers: Peter Solimeno and Armando Solimeno; and her three sisters: Antionette Solimeno, Maria Villano and Emilia Petrone.

Ersilia’s survivors include her son, Vincent Schiano and his wife, Gretchen, of Harrisburg; her daughter, Francine Foltz of Mechanicsburg; her six grandchildren: Angela Glassbrenner, Nina Glessbrenner, Michael Schiano, Andrew Schiano, Megan Johnson and her husband, Thomas, Valerie Longwell and her husband, Matthew; her five great-grandchildren: Landon Glassbrenner, Nevaeh Johnson, TJ Johnson, Gwen Longwell, Sawyer Longwell; her step-granddaughter, Mylinda Cuevas; her four step great-grandchildren; her siblings, Frank Villano and Anna Cianciaruso, both of Philadelphia; her former son in-law, Bill Foltz; and many nieces and nephews.

Ersilia overcame many obstacles in her life, including but not limited to, losing a son and grandson, learning how to walk again after surgery and ethnic diversity.  She was fluent in Italian, English, Spanish and French and was very kind and generous.  While living in New York City, she often volunteered at P.S. 29 John M. Harrigan and was a community organizer who brought different ethnicities together by speaking their native languages and treating them with love and respect.  Ersilia had a green thumb, enjoyed gardening, used to knit and crochet clothing and loved music.  She was a self-taught piano, organ and keyboard player and even tried her hand at the accordion, violin and guitar.  Ersilia’s kind soul and zest for life will not be forgotten. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

All are welcome to join Ersilia’s family at her celebration of life open house and gathering of family and friends on Monday, March 20, 2023, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. with a time of remembrance at 2:00 p.m. at Buhrig’s Gathering Place, 25 East Main Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055, (717) 766-3421 (next to Buhrig Funeral Home & Crematory); with Celebrant George A. Spangler officiating.  Over 100 parking spaces are available; just look for the “Buhrig” parking signs in all of the parking lots.  A graveside service and interment will follow the open house in Chestnut Hill Cemetery in Mechanicsburg.  Cremation was private.

Contributions in celebration of Ersilia’s life can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 North Michigan Avenue, Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601, www.alz.org/donate.

Ersilia’s family has entrusted her care to Buhrig Funeral Home & Crematory in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421.  Read Ersilia’s full obituary, view her memorial video and portrait, offer condolences and sympathy, share stories and memories, upload photographs and videos, light a candle and sign her official guest book by visiting Buhrig.com.