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Erma DeBernardis was blessed with 101 years of life, and her family was blessed to have her for every one of them. Born in Altoona, she was the daughter of Margaret and
Guiseppe Petro. She was one of eight children, and family and hard work were a part of her life from the very beginning.
On May 15, 1942, she married Joseph DeBernardis. Together, they raised their two sons, John and Frederick, and built a life filled with family.
She retired from Puritan Sportswear as a sportswear assembly supervisor.
More than anything, she enjoyed spending time with her family. She also loved going to the beauty shop, crocheting, dancing, going to the casinos and trying her luck with scratch-offs. She enjoyed the simple things in life and was happiest when surrounded by the people she loved.
Her family grew over the years and was always an important part of her life.
John's family includes Jonathon DeBernardis and his wife, Jennifer, and their children: Cooper, Isabel and Avery; Joshua DeBernardis; Kelli Scroggin and her husband, Robert, and their children: Rocco, Roman and Carmen; Adam DeBernardis and Luana, and their children, Victoria and Celeste; Ashley
DeBernardis; Kristie Stonebrook and her husband, Jeffrey, and their children, Emmaline and Elliott; and Joseph DeBernardis and Taylor, and their child, Dane.
Frederick and his wife, Sharon, have two daughters: Nicole Hite and her husband, Vince, and their children, Alyssa and Vinnie; and Lynnea Poore and her husband, Matt, and their children: Trip, Harper, Aubrey and Allieanna.
She is also survived by her special niece, Donna Petrocelli, among many loving nieces and nephews, both near and far.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph; her parents, Margaret and Guiseppe Petro; her seven siblings; and most recently, her special sister-in-law, Marie Petro.
She was a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, and her faith remained an important part of her life.
Living 101 years gave her family something very special -- generations of memories with her. She watched her family grow from two sons into grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and each generation was fortunate to know her, love her and have their own memories of her.
She will be deeply missed, but after 101 years, there are countless stories, traditions and memories that will keep her close to her family for years to come.
Friends will be received from 2 to 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at Santella Funeral Home, where a vigil for the deceased will be held.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, with committal at Calvary Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made in her memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
And in honor of Erma, buy yourself a scratch-off. You never know -- maybe a little bit of her luck will be with you.
santellafuneralhome.com