Obituary of Irene Elber

Irene Ercolano Elber entered eternal rest on March 31st, 2023. Born in Corona, New York in 1928, she was the fourth of five children born to Alfred and Jennie Ercolano. Irene was predeceased by her first husband, Paul Murray and her second husband, Ethan Elber. She was a devoted mother to her children, Maryjane Crosthwaite, Nancy Uruskyj, and James Murray, and stepdaughter, Gail Elber. Irene was a loving grandmother to her seven grandchildren, Cindy, Paul, KC, Adam, Sarah, Nicholas, and Elizabeth. She was especially proud of her nine great-grandchildren, Kaelyn, Layla, Sofia, Karson, Amelia, Libby, Stefan, Annie, and Alice, all of whom adored their Nana.

Irene’s life centered around family and her passion for all things Italian. Her siblings and cousins were  beloved by her, and she dearly missed them during the latter years of her life.  She loved a good game of Canasta and playing board games with her grandchildren. She was also known for her expertise in crossword puzzles, notably the Sunday Times, which she did each week in pen.  

Preserving family traditions was vitally important to her. While her passing brings an end  to this chapter of the Ercolano family their legacy will live on in the songs she taught us and the stories she told.