Elizabeth Ann "Lee" (Vari) Malgieri

Elizabeth Ann Malgieri, affectionately known as Lee, age 89, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 27, 2019 with her loving family by her side.

Born in Wilmington, DE, Lee was the daughter of the late Rosa and Frank Vari. She attended Wilmington High School. Aside from being a devoted wife and mother, Lee also had many jobs that she enjoyed. For over 20 years, she was a distributor for Stanley Home Products. Lee also enjoyed working as a shampoo girl at Roma Hair Salon for many years, as well as at her niece’s shop, The Wildflower.

Family was the center of Lee’s world. She was very supportive of all of her children’s school activities and she was proud of all of her daughters’ achievements. As the youngest of the girls in the family, Lee had a close bond with her five sisters, as well as her brothers. She loved to travel with her children, grandchildren and sisters. Some of her favorite trips were to Disney World, Boston, Myrtle Beach, Outer Banks, Maine and Canada. In the summertime, many fun times were spent at her beach home in Oak Orchard, DE, where her sisters also had homes on the same street. No summer was complete without a feast of soft shell crabs and fried oysters- her favorites!

Lee had a beautiful voice and enjoyed singing with her three sisters, who sang professionally in the area. She was also a fabulous cook, who treasured her annual tradition of hosting Christmas Eve and cooking the Feast of the Seven Fishes.

In her leisure time, Lee enjoyed swimming and exercising at the Fraim Center, where she had many close friends. She also enjoyed crocheting afghan blankets for her children and grandchildren. For many years, Lee was in bowling leagues at the Bowlerama and Prices Corner Lanes.

Through the years, Lee also enjoyed painting ceramics. She was most proud of the different Santa’s that she painted and each one of her daughters were given one every Christmas! They will be cherished!

Lee was a devout Catholic, who was a member of the Blessed Mother Sodality at St. John the Beloved Parish, who prayed her daily devotional of the Blessed Mother. In more recent years, she enjoyed attending Mass at Resurrection Parish with her daughters.

Lee was predeceased by her husband, Joseph Acendo Malgieri; her parents; her sisters, Theresa DiPersio, Josephine Cortese, Angeline Simeone and Mary Vincent; and her brothers, Martino Vari and Francis Vari, Jr. She is survived by her daughters, Barbara A. Winnington and her husband, Steven, Bett Malgieri, Jo Ann Malgieri-Fenner and her husband, Morrison Fenner, and Annette D’Angelo and her husband, Joseph D’Angelo, Jr.); her sister, Carmella Hamilton; and her brother, Joseph Vari and his wife, Florence.

Lee is also survived by her grandchildren, Matthew Winnington (Lauren), Brian Winnington (Amanda), Michael Alfaro, Charlie Hernandez, Lee Furness (Derik), Emma Skillman (Waylon Foskey), David Skillman, Christopher Fenner (Amarissa), Andre Fenner, Joseph D’Angelo, III (Michelle), Vincent D’Angelo (Cynthia), Anthony D’Angelo (Emily) and Domenic D’Angelo; her great-grandchildren, Anna, Benjamin and Henry Winnington, Peter Joseph Wilson, Cambridge Furness, Kayden and Hailey Fenner, Joseph D’Angelo, IV, and Grayson and Luca D’Angelo; as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to the staff of the Christiana Hospital Emergency Department and Intensive Care Unit for their phenomenal care of Lee.

Family and friends may visit from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM on Monday, December 9 at Resurrection Parish, 3000 Videre Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808, where a Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 12:30 PM. Interment will follow at All Saints Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Foundation-Eastern PA and DE Chapter, 150 Monument Rd., Suite 100, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004.

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